The first candidate has announced that he is seeking the super city Mayoralty. It is right winger Mark Thomas.
He is well known as National’s candidate in Wellington Central in 1996 who could have won the seat but was undermined by Jim Bolger’s endorsement of Richard Prebble. The sad history is documented in the film Campaign.
He has served as a Parliamentary Staffer for the National Party and was Melissa Lee’s campaign manager for the 2009 Mount Albert by election when her infamous line about how the new motorway would stop South Aucklanders burgling Mount Albert homes or something sunk her credibility and all prospects of a National win.
He is currently on the Orakei Local Board.
He has a swanky campaign video where he makes all sorts of vague promises to improve things:
He also has an adequate website with vague discussion about transport and housing although one thing to note is that he appears to want to cancel the inner city rail link.
His early announcement could be problematic for National. Having two right wing candidates will split their support although he is barely known and is unlikely to gain many votes. He may be hoping that Maurice Williamson decides not to contest and that no one else puts their hand up.
He claims to have been encouraged by a number of councillors. The only support I could find for him was a tweet by Linda Cooper.
Meanwhile the Herald has reported that Phil Goff has all but confirmed that he will seek the mayoralty. Len Brown’s office said he was too busy to comment on if he is going to stand again.
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