Banks: 'I unblock drains and I rescue cats'

Auckland mayor John Banks, a candidate for the mayoralty of the proposed new super city, has been uncharacteristically modest about his efforts to save a cat stuck up a tree at a constituent's house.

Mr Banks got a call late last night from the cat's owner about its plight and spent about two hours trying to help this morning.

However, the mayor refused to talk about it today.

"No, no, no, no, no, no.

"I love cats. I am an animal rights activist. Thank you very much for the call.

"There is nothing more to say. I change light bulbs for elderly people, I unblock drains and I rescue cats. It is part of being the mayor of a super city.

That is all I want to tell you. Have a great day."

- NZPA