Backstabbing and betrayal in local politics

John Tamihere. Photo / Rotorua Daily Post

If you thought the Auckland mayoral election race has been a non-event, it may be about to get even worse.

With both John Banks and Len Brown keen to avoid scandal, no one is taking risks. Banks' aides are even concerned that he's been uptight and distracted, so they're trying to slow him down and make sure he rests.

John Tamihere backed away at the last minute from throwing his hand in the council ring: His wife wasn't too pleased about him standing and he figured he wouldn't enter politics again without family support. Ross Dallow will have the support of his TV news anchor son Simon.

But Tenby Powell isn't feeling the love, gutted that Citizens & Ratepayers encouraged him into politics, then cut him loose.

In the Albert/Eden/Roskill ward, Christine Fletcher is getting around in a bus with what looks like her son painted on it - it's actually Paul Goldsmith, her C&R colleague.

In Orakei, embattled C&R chairman John Slater hit the roof after one of his own told the media that Newmarket's Cameron Brewer would win the seat against C&R's Doug Armstrong - Slater apparently worked the phones to uncover the disloyal mole.