KEY POINTS:
Auckland City Mayor Dick Hubbard says the Boobs on Bikes parade is "morally repugnant", even more so because organiser Steve Crow is using it in his bid for the mayoralty.
Mr Hubbard was speaking yesterday after the Auckland City Council granted a permit for Wednesday's inner-city parade of topless models on the backs of motorcycles promoting next weekend's Erotica Expo at the ASB Showgrounds in Greenlane.
Last year the council tried to stop the parade.
Mr Hubbard said yesterday that he would move heaven and Earth to prevent any repeat next year.
Another Auckland mayoral candidate, Direct Democracy Party deputy leader Steve Taylor, said it was a weak-willed decision by the council.
It affirmed the need for change at the council headquarters.
"Somewhere, sometime, someone has to stand up, draw a line in the sand for decency and self-respect."
Julie Chambers, a political running mate of Mr Crow in the 1Auckland.com ticket at October's local body elections, said she did not have a problem with the parade as long as it was legal.
But Mrs Chambers, a former Citizens & Ratepayers Now politician standing in the conservative Hobson ward, said she would not be attending.
Mayoral candidate John Banks said last night that he hadn't given Boobs on Bikes any thought and would not attend.
"I've never seen it. I heard about it last year. I think there's much greater and more significant social issues facing Auckland than a parade down Queen St."
Such issues included the increased numbers of the homeless, dispossessed and mentally sick sleeping rough, Mr Banks said.
"I want to live in a city that's a family-oriented city which celebrates diversity and success and everything good about New Zealand.
"If people want to have a parade like this, we live in modern times. I'm neither for nor against it. I don't give it mind-time."
The parade will start in Upper Queen St at noon, turn into Wellesley St West then go along Albert St and finish in Quay St.
- NZPA
