John Banks won't rule out running for Auckland mayor, suggests Sir John Key enters race

Wednesday, 15 May 2019

John Banks says the supercity is floundering and Auckland needs a lively mayoral election this year.

Former Auckland mayor John Banks says he is 'extremely disappointed' in the incumbent Phil Goff and will not rule out running in the mayoral elections this year.

But Banks has also voiced his admiration for left-wing potential candidate Mike Lee and suggested Sir John Key join the race too.

'Auckland definitely needs a contest of ideas for the future,' Banks said.

'I'm very sure I could do a better job than the candidates that are presently standing.'

* Phil Goff's first election policy: Review Auckland Council agencies

John Tamihere, left, and Phil Goff, leave TV3 after a live debate.

Banks said he had not previously mulled running for mayor in 2019 but a grave risk of 'abysmal' turnout loomed for the October 12 local elections in New Zealand's biggest city.

'Never before has the city been in so much trouble with poor leadership, a dysfunctional council and a complete breakdown in the democratic process between the bureaucracy and the council,' he said.

'Phil Goff confirmed my worst fears that he simply wasn't up to it.'

Banks said 'cost blowouts' in the city were outrageous.

On May 1, councillors agreed ratepayers would pick up $500 million of extra costs for the City Rail Link.

Banks was not persuaded 'so-called frontrunners' Goff and John Tamihere – both former Labour MPs – would split the left-wing vote and open a pathway for a right-leaning contender.

Waitematā and Gulf Ward councillor Mike Lee has voiced disgust at some current council antics and says he's talking to as many people as possible about a mayoral campaign.

Tamihere's platform so far included a pledge to sell the Ports of Auckland company but retain its land for future re-development.

Goff's campaign so far included a promise to independently review council-controlled organisations, or CCOs, such as Auckland Transport and Watercare.

'I'm very hopeful that a high-quality centre-right candidate will stand [and] repair the damage that's been done,' Banks said.

'The supercity has been a great disappointment.'

John Minto, a former Auckland candidate now considering a Christchurch mayoralty bid, says Mike Lee is a viable alternative for working people.

Banks suggested former Prime Minister Key would be a good candidate but also voiced admiration for Mike Lee, a veteran leftwing city councillor he said was 'highly respected'.

'He is very disillusioned and it takes a lot to get Mike Lee disillusioned. He's seen the culture at the council.'

Former Auckland mayoral candidate John Minto also backed Lee, saying he was a viable alternative for 'working people'.

He said Goff was a 'corporate' candidate and he saw little difference between the mayor and Tamihere.

'Labour was left-wing sort of 30 years ago.'

Lee said on Wednesday running for mayor was a 'huge undertaking' and wasn't to be entered lightly, 'but it has become evident a lot of Aucklanders are not satisfied with the choice on offer.

'I am talking to as many people as possible before making a decision.'

Lee last week described CCOs as 'completely out of control' and claimed Goff was the 'worst mayor' he'd had to deal with.

Apart from Goff and Tamihere, serial candidate and licensed real estate salesman John Palino is campaigning for the mayoralty.

He stood for the 2013 race but after the election, he and campaign aide Luigi Wewege were swamped with allegations related to the exposure of then-mayor Len Brown's affair with Bevan Chuang.

In April, Palino pledged a region-wide moratorium on the removal of car parks.

'The Auckland Council I lead will dial back the stick and make much greater use of the carrot,' he said.