Bradford may opt for Super City contest

Sue Bradford. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Green MP Sue Bradford is not ruling out standing for the Auckland Super City.

The 57-year-old Mangere resident announced on Friday that she was quitting national politics on October 30.

She said the decision to leave had been "deeply painful" but she had become disillusioned after missing out on the co-leadership of the party to Metiria Turei on May 30.

Manukau mayor Len Brown, who wants to be the first mayor of the Super City, said at the weekend he would relish working alongside Ms Bradford on the Super Auckland Council.

He said she would make a great councillor on the 20-strong council, he enjoyed her company and although people had mixed views about the anti-smacking campaigner, she was totally genuine.

Ms Bradford said she was honoured by Mr Brown's comments and while she intended to continue in politics it was too soon to make any decisions about standing for the Super City.

"At the same time I wouldn't completely write it off. There's a possibility."

The possibility of the controversial MP teaming up with Mr Brown has been a godsend for his opponent, Auckland City Mayor John Banks and campaign strategist Aaron Bhatnagar.

Mr Banks said it would be another clear point of difference between "camp Brown and camp Banksie".

"It is obvious that the Labour Party and Len Brown are moving hard to the left around social policy development and delivery and my campaign is about affordable progress and economic infrastructure," Mr Banks said.

Mr Bhatnagar blogged on the issue, saying Mr Brown could make Ms Bradford his deputy or chairwoman of social policy.

"Maori seats, genetic engineering, social housing, increased welfarism, free pools for Manukau at everyone else's expense and now endorsing the architect of the nonsense anti-smacking law. Yep, it would be an absolute nightmare if Len Brown and the left ran the new Auckland."