Campaign spending cap should be doubled - Banks

John Banks says the spending cap should increase from $70,000 to $150,000. Photo / Herald on Sunday

John Banks is defending his view that the spending cap for the Super City mayoral campaign should be doubled.

The Auckland City Mayor has called for a campaign spending cap for the last three months of the election to increase to $150,000, from the current limit $70,000.

But critics are concerned that could mean the mayoral race might turn into a contest exclusively for the rich.

Mr Banks said there needed to be a limit and it needed to be a reasonable amount to pay for a major campaign.

"I think we need to encourage a lot of people, but I put it to you ... if you haven't and can't raise $150,000, you're very unlikely to get any attraction across regional Auckland," he told Radio New Zealand.

However, former Manukau City mayor Sir Barry Curtis said the current cap of $70,000 was more than enough.

"The last thing that the community will want to see are people spending vast amounts of money to effectively be buying themselves that position."

Sir Barry said the availability of funds should not prevent candidates from running.

"On the contrary I think they should be encouraged to stand."

North Shore City Mayor Andrew Williams said the increase in the mayoral campaign funding, wanted by richer inner Auckland suburbs, would discourage those from outer cities, such as Manukau, Waikarere and North Shore, from running.

"I would far rather see this sort of money being spent in the community where the community requires the money than a whole lot of campaigns costing $150,000 and many many millions of dollars being wasted on billboards, publicity materials and pamphlets going around the place."

He called on the media to report on all candidates running and what issues they stand for.

"What they (people from Auckland City suburbs) want to do is turn this into a ... big presidential-style campaign - lots of money - and of course that therefore immediately eliminates a lot of very good potential candidates," Mr Williams said.

As well as campaign spending, Mr Williams and Mr Banks look set to bump heads over how the Super City council would work.

Today's Herald reported Mr Banks is opposed to spelling out the powers and functions of local boards in legislation.

Instead he wanted the council to ultimately determine and delegate the powers of local boards based on the principle that they should decide local issues.

However, Mr Williams said powers and functions of local boards should be unambiguous and enshrined in legislation.

- NZPA