Actor and director Simon Prast is standing for the Super City mayoralty to challenge the heavyweight contenders, Auckland City Mayor John Banks and Manukau Mayor Len Brown.
Mr Prast, who founded the Auckland Theatre Company and played Alistair in the 1980s television drama Gloss, has no experience as a local body politician.
"I have no political affiliation and run neither as a candidate of the left or right.
"I have local, regional and central political experience," he said.
"My background is theatre and the law. At this time of great transition I offer creativity and impartiality, communication and justice."
Mr Prast, 48, was born in Otahuhu and grew up in Otara and Waikowhai. He has a law degree, founded the Auckland Theatre Company and was at the helm of the first Auckland Festival, in 2003.
"I think people are very keen to see a third person emerge in the race," he said.
Mr Prast, who is not well known outside theatre circles, plans to get out on the stump, start a website and look to an "Obama-type campaign" to get support. He has no plans to pay out anything like the $580,000 mayoral spending limit.
Not surprisingly, Mr Prast wants to develop the city's cultural and creative sector and has "no intention" of selling regional assets. As a former Waitakere City resident, he is keen to extend the eco-city concept to the region.
Auckland water campaigner Penny Bright is also standing for the mayoralty and former Waitakere City councillor and comedian Ewen Gilmour was on the super mayoral campaign trail during the Comedy Festival.
<i>Gloss</i> actor seeking lead role in Super City
Simon Prast says he offers creativity and a strong legal background. Photo / Richard Robinson
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