Eighteen candidates for Auckland Mayor

Eighteen candidates have put their hands up to become mayor of the new Auckland super city, which will be decided during local body elections in October.

Nominations closed today for candidates standing for council and district health boards nationwide, and the lists of names will be released publicly next Wednesday.

Some candidates have already listed themselves on Local Government New Zealand's website.

Among the candidates for Auckland Mayor are Manukau Mayor Len Brown, Auckland City Mayor John Banks, North Shore Mayor Andrew Williams, actor and director Simon Prast and political activist Penny Bright.

In Wellington, incumbent Kerry Prendergast is standing again, alongside councillors Celia Wade-Brown and Bryan Pepperell, businessman Jack Yan, and two others.

That was lower than the 11 nominations in the 2007 elections.

In Christchurch, 14 mayoral nominations include Wigram MP Jim Anderton and incumbent mayor Bob Parker, while in Invercargill, mayor Tim Shadbolt is standing again, with well known singer Suzanne Prentice one of his opponents.

Seven candidates are standing for Hamilton Mayor, including stripper and former topless newsreader Lisa Lewis.

Incumbent mayor Tony Kokshoorn is the only nomination for Grey District Mayor, while in Westport, former mayoralty rivals Pat O'Dea and Pat McManus will stand. Mr McManus beat Mr O'Dea by about 400 votes last election.

Voting in the elections, from September 17 until midday October 9, is by postal vote.

- NZPA