Councillor's bid could mean two byelections

Jami-Lee Ross. Photo / Dean Purcell

Auckland councillor Jami-Lee Ross will force a $150,000 byelection if he becomes the National Party candidate for the Botany byelection and goes on to win the seat.

Mr Ross, who has campaigned against wasting ratepayers' money, yesterday defended his decision to pursue a career in national politics only seven weeks after starting work as an Auckland councillor.

Auckland Council electoral officer Dale Ofsoske said a byelection in Mr Ross' ward of Howick would cost about $150,000.

The Botany byelection is expected to cost taxpayers about $500,000.

Mr Ross said he did not like the idea of putting ratepayers to the expense of a byelection, but believed he would be a good MP for Botany.

He said he would step down from the council if he won the byelection.

And he would not have stood for the council had he known Mrs Wong was going to resign.

As a young politician - at age 25 Mr Ross has already served two terms as a Manukau City councillor - he said he had considered a future in national politics but did not expect it to happen now.

"But I do live in Botany. I represent Botany at the moment," he said.

Mayor Len Brown, who has a history of clashes with Mr Ross going back to their days at Manukau, said he would prefer not to lose a councillor so soon after the inauguration of the Auckland Council on November 1.

"However, after having worked with Jami-Lee for a number of years, I know he will continue to be a strong advocate for his community, whether it is here or in Wellington," Mr Brown said.

Councillor Christine Fletcher, who is co-leader with Mr Ross of the right-wing Citizens & Ratepayers group on the council, said a byelection caused by her colleague would be unfortunate.

Mr Ross is the second high-profile C&R politician to put his name forward for the National Party. Former Auckland City councillor Aaron Bhatnagar is also seeking the nomination.