Wayne Brown not ruling out early handover of mayoralty if he wins second term

Wednesday, 1 October 2025

If re-elected, Auckland mayor Wayne Brown wants to finish what he started, he tells David Long, while revealing for the first time he may not stay the full course of a second term.

Auckland mayor Wayne Brown says he has not ruled out stepping down towards the end of his second term if re-elected, allowing Desley Simpson to replace him.

Speaking in an interview with Stuff, the 79-year-old confirmed for the first time that he might hand over the mayoralty before the full three years are up, though he insisted he had not discussed the possibility with his deputy, Simpson, and stressed he still has plenty to do if he secures another term.

“I haven’t ruled that out, but next year’s a really important year for Auckland,” Brown said.

“There are some great things, important things that will happen, which will have a big impact on the country. We’ll finish at long last the International Convention Centre… and, at long last, City Rail Link will open to the public.”

Brown has already signalled that Simpson would remain as deputy mayor if he’s re-elected on October 11 and they are both running on the Fix Auckland ticket.

In normal circumstances, if the mayor of Auckland resigns, there needs to be a by-election to find a successor. While that process is underway, the deputy mayor fills in.

Legally, elections must be held within 103 days of the election officer receiving notice of a resignation. So if Brown resigned 102 days before the 2028 election, Simpson could remain as mayor and there wouldn’t need to be a by-election.

As the mayor gets far more media attention than any councillor, this would significantly boost Simpson’s chances of winning the 2028 mayoral election.

When pressed on whether he had canvassed the idea with Simpson, Brown replied: “That’s not even been a conversation. I think you’re the first person I’ve ever even had that thought with. But I think Desley would make a good follow-on mayor.”

Taking control

There are 12 in the race to win the Auckland mayoralty, with councillor Kerrin Leoni regarded as his main challenger.

Unlike most candidates, Brown hasn’t come into the battle with a list of new policies. For him, it’s about finishing off the ones he fought the 2022 election with, which were around fixing Auckland Transport, stopping wasting money and bringing the council-controlled organisations (CCOs) in-house.

“I still, after three years, haven’t quite got my hands on Auckland Transport, and that was the one I was most interested in from the start,” he said.

Brown also argued that Auckland should be leading the country out of its economic “doldrum” and cited his role in helping form the Auckland Tech Alliance as an example of the city taking charge.

“Whilst I’m not a technology person, I do understand the merits and the financial applications… I would like to see us lead the economy rather than struggle on.”

Age, politics and motivation

At 79, Brown is one of the oldest political figures in New Zealand public life. He has had a successful business career, doesn’t need the money, the hassle or the fame, so why does he want to put himself through this again?

“It's kind of like when I got to be the [mayor] the first time,” he said.

“I looked at Auckland and thought it's not doing as well as it should, and of the other people who are putting their names forward, none have ever done anything as big as what this is.

“I thought, if I didn't do it, I'd look back and I'd have regrets. If the people didn't want me, that was OK, but I sensed they probably do, because I'm about fixing the things that Auckland isn't actually achieving.”

On major transport projects, Brown stuck to his fiscally conservative stance. He cast doubt on the economics of an airport rail link, questioning whether the huge capital costs could be justified given the relatively efficient bus connection from Puhinui.

“It sort of looks good, but I’d be surprised if it actually makes economic sense,” he said of an airport rail link.

Brown was more supportive of protecting the Avondale to Southdown corridor for future freight, particularly if Auckland’s port functions are shifted to Tauranga or Northport. “That will absolutely be essential… but until that happens, it would just be a money loser.”

Bed-night levy battle

One policy Brown remains determined to deliver is a bed-night levy on Auckland accommodation providers, to help bring big events to the city. While the current coalition has ruled it out this term, Brown believes it is only a matter of time.

“If not this term, maybe they might not have another term,” he said, noting that Labour and New Zealand First both support the levy. “National are not unhappy about it, but ACT don't like it at all.”

Labour leader Chris Hipkins confirmed to Stuff on Tuesday that he has been in talks with Brown about it.

“I've said to Wayne Brown, we're very open to talking to him about that,” Hipkins said.

“We know that we need a more sustainable way of funding tourism infrastructure for Auckland. Look at the major events pipeline. It's largely empty.”

One of the big decisions to be made about Auckland next year will be the second harbour crossing.

Brown insists he knows nothing about the work NZTA is doing in the Waitematā Harbour, despite Transport Minister Chris Bishop saying otherwise.

The Government will make a call on whether the crossing is a bridge or a tunnel and where it will be located in the middle of next year.

If re-elected, Brown is adamant that he wants to have a say in that decision.

“They'll be reading a lot about it on Stuff and Herald if they don't let me be there, I do know about this stuff,” he said.

“I don't expect to be at the table for any discussions about the Wearable Art Awards or major artistic sort of field. I send Desley along, she's very well-informed in that field.

“But I expect fully to be [there], we are going to have a 30-year transport plan.

“It won't be based on who gets elected anywhere. It will be based on where people live, where the freight is going, where the problems are now, and where the new areas are. It'll be completely boringly logical.”