Media release
Newmarket Business Association
15 November 2005

Auckland mayors win nude swim with Bob Harvey

The winner of the much talked-about naked swim with Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey has gifted the prize to Auckland’s three other metropolitan mayors and the Minister for Auckland Issues - all in the name of closer regional relationships.

The Newmarket Business Association has revealed it was the successful bidder of a naked swim for four consenting adults at the Ranui Naturalists Club with its patron Bob Harvey. The bidding closed at 6.00pm last night on www.trademe.co.nz, with the nude swim raising $105 for the Auckland Philharmonia - the city's symphony orchestra.

Newmarket Business Association head Cameron Brewer said Newmarket businesspeople were never interested in cashing in the prize themselves. However Newmarket is keen to create unique opportunities for Auckland’s leaders to get to know each other better, as well as expose and get to the bottom of issues.

“This will be an Auckland Mayoral Forum with a difference. It will be an ideal chance to achieve the kind of closer regional co-operation that the mayors and the minister so readily talk about. Instead of the usual stuffy meetings, the Auckland leaders will be able to peel back the layers and focus on the nuts and bolts.”

Mr Brewer says the fresh Waitakere air is also likely to provoke renewed debate between the mayors and minister about amalgamation of the councils and the creation of a super city.

“The nude swim will give the Minister for Auckland Issues the chance to inspect up close which mayor has the best credentials to possibly one day lead the super city.

“I am convinced the mayors will take up this generous gift. Deep down they all have naked ambition, and are acutely aware they need to better familiarise themselves with each others’ regions,” said Mr Brewer.

The Newmarket Business Association has gifted the prize to Auckland City Mayor Dick Hubbard, North Shore City Mayor George Wood, Manukau City Mayor Sir Barry Curtis, and Minister for Auckland Issues, Hon Judith Tizard. The opportunity must be taken at a mutually agreed date before 31 March 2006.

Mr Brewer will write to the mayors and minister today, informing them of their gift.

ENDS