KEY POINTS:
Auckland regional councillor Craig Little has added his name to the race for this year's Manukau mayoralty.
The 59-year-old, who has a long background in local government, public relations and television, confirmed yesterday that he would line up against other mayoral candidates Arthur Anae, Len Brown and Dick Quax.
A spokesman for the incumbent, Sir Barry Curtis, who is in the Cook Islands providing planning advice to the government, said Sir Barry would reserve his decision to stand for a record ninth term in office.
Mr Little said his role as a councillor was coming to an end but, buoyed by his performance in the 2004 Auckland Regional Council elections in which he polled highest with 19,149 votes, he had decided to run. He said the pressing issues were airport shares, "the influence of crime and gangs" and rates.
* Retired businessman Raymond Presland is the latest candidate to enter the Auckland City mayoral race. The 70-something is the eighth candidate to enter. He joins Mayor Dick Hubbard, former mayor John Banks, adult entertainment businessman Steve Crow, Labour councillor John Hinchcliff and activists Lisa Prager, Coralie van Camp and Elaine West. Nominations for the local body elections close on August 24.
