‘F… off’: Wayne Brown’s brief curt to a request for a ‘ratepayer protection pledge’

Thursday, 2 October 2025

Auckland mayor Wayne Brown is standing for a second term at the 2025 local elections.

Auckland mayor Wayne Brown had a curt response to a request by lobby group Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance (APA), telling them to “f… off” after they asked him to sign their “ratepayer protection pledge”.

The pledge, set up by the Taxpayers Union, calls on signatories to “Oppose any measures that will see the total burden of rates, levies and additional council charges exceed the level of inflation and population growth.”

The APA called on supporters to write to Brown demanding he sign the pledge, and claimed “hundreds of incumbent and prospective mayors around New Zealand” have signed it already.

Brown received an email, seen by Stuff, with the headline “Is Wayne Brown planning a rates blow-out?”

Wayne Brown’s reply to the lobby group’s request.

In an emailed response, Brown only had two words for the group: “F… off.”

A spokesperson for Brown’s election campaign told the NZ Herald that Brown “wished to be unambiguous after being bombarded by their PR stunt emails”.

“Their so-called pledge is unrealistic and meaningless,” the spokesperson added.

In a statement, the ARA spokesperson Sam Warren said Brown’s comments were “water off a duck’s back”.

“He’s known as Mr Grumpy for a reason,” Warren said.

Auckland mayor Wayne Brown details his plans if re elected, saying his age does not prevent him from leading the city. The video captures Brown speaking about priorities and his confidence in continuing as mayor.

“Wayne Brown likes to frame himself as a ratepayer hero. He talks the talk, but won’t walk the walk. Hundreds of incumbent and hopeful candidates around New Zealand have signed the Ratepayer Protection Pledge.

“Other cities’ leaders are saying ‘yes’ and have signed the pledge. So should Mr Brown.”

Brown spoke with Stuff earlier this week about the mayoralty campaign, saying he has not ruled out stepping down towards the end of his second term if re-elected, allowing Desley Simpson to replace him.

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.”

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