Auckland mayoral candidate urges deputy mayor to join the race

By RNZ

• Auckland councillor and mayoral candidate Kerrin Leoni accused Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown of ‘bully behaviour’ after his comments about Auckland Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson.
• Leoni encouraged Simpson to join the mayoral race, emphasising the need for more women candidates.
• Simpson is undecided about running and will decide by the end of May.

One of Auckland’s main mayoral candidates is encouraging a potential opponent to throw her hat in the ring after current Mayor Wayne Brown took a jab at her.

Kerrin Leoni accused Brown of “bully behaviour” after he claimed Deputy Mayor, Desley Simpson, who was considering running against him for the top job, was only interested in helping her constituents buy Lamborghinis.

Brown later apologised for the comments which he made during an interview with the Herald.

Auckland Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson received an apology from Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown for comments he made about her in an interview. Photo / RNZ

“I’ve raised this a number of times with him. He’s the Mayor of Auckland and given his position, he shouldn’t be making comments like that,” Leoni told RNZ.

“Desley has been in [the] council for a very long time, and taking away the hard work she has done by saying that she’s just taking people shopping for Lamborghinis is really inappropriate, and we need to challenge that behaviour, call it out, and say that’s not acceptable for the future of our city.”

In a statement, Leoni said she would be more than happy to contest Brown for his job alongside Simpson.

“I think it would be good for local democracy if Desley Simpson joined the mayoral election this year.

“Come on, Desley, don’t allow yourself to be bullied out of running. I have respect for you, and the more qualified women in this election, the better.”

Auckland Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson. Photo / RNZ, Nick Monro

She said she wanted to see more women stand for key roles in the city.

“Wayne Brown can be as outspoken and gruff as he likes and gets away with it, but it’s more difficult for a woman candidate.

“Women experience too much bullying running for public office, when we should be supporting more women to be at decision-making tables.”

She also felt she and Simpson were “unfairly presented” by the release of data about complimentary tickets to shows at Eden Park.

“I thought it was disappointing it was turned around to be a negative.

“I think it’s important as elected representatives that we see the economic development happening and are present and visible at great events in our city.”

Simpson told RNZ she was still undecided on running for mayor after she confirmed earlier this year she was mulling over it.

“Have a big family meeting scheduled to discuss over Easter holidays and will advise my community and wider public by the end of next month [May, at the] latest.”

A spokesman for the Wayne Brown campaign declined to comment.

- RNZ