David Hay the only mayoral candidate standing for council

Mayoral candidate David Hay is also standing as a councillor for the Howick Ward.

According to the official list of nominees, only he and one other person are standing for the Mayoralty and for a Ward (Alexiz Heneti, for Albany - see below).

"If I don't become Mayor of Auckland at this election, I still want to be involved in governing Auckland." said Mr Hay. "I will knuckle down and do one or two terms as a councillor, representing the Howick Ward, before I challenge for the mayoralty again."

"I am surprised that the other main candidates for the mayoralty have not shown the same commitment to Auckland." said Mr Hay. "They seem to be saying to Auckland: 'make me the mayor, or I'm out of here' and I'm not sure that's what Aucklanders want in a mayor."

"Len Brown was a councillor for two terms before he became Mayor of Manukau City and I respect him for that." said Mr Hay. "You can't come into the Mayor's job, without prior council experience, and hope to be effective."

"Only two candidates in this race have prior experience in council: Mark Thomas, as a member of the Orakei Local Board for two terms, and myself; as a Principal Policy Advisor at Auckland Council and Manukau City before that. Mark won't stick around and stand up for Auckland if he doesn't win the mayoralty. I will." said Mr Hay.

ENDS

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