Organiser of democracy march joins mayoral race

Colin Craig. Photo / Steven McNicholl

Property manager Colin Craig, who organised November's "March for Democracy" in Queen St, has joined the growing list of candidates for the Super City mayoralty.

Mr Craig is the second candidate in five days to challenge heavyweight contenders Auckland City Mayor John Banks and Manukau Mayor Len Brown. On Thursday, actor and director Simon Prast said he would stand.

Like Mr Prast, Mr Craig has no experience as a local body politician. But he took on the political establishment to protest against the Government's refusal to back a citizens-initiated referendum over the so-called anti-smacking law.

Mr Craig spent several hundred thousand dollars promoting the "March for Democracy" that attracted about 4000 people.

Yesterday, he indicated he would spend close to the $580,000 cap for mayoral candidates.

"I'm making a commitment to run a serious campaign and will be spending money to ensure I contact every voter to put my policies forward."

Mr Craig, 42, runs a property management company. He grew up in Howick and lives in Albany Heights.

"Having surveyed people from all over the Greater Auckland region, I discovered that Aucklanders are worried about losing their local voice, they're worried about rates increasing and they're worried core services will be run by people who want to make a profit rather than create a world-class city to live in."

As an independent candidate aligned with no political parties, Mr Craig said, he would focus on minimising rates, local initiatives and a better solution to the leaky home crisis. He would also promote referendums on major issues and be guided by the results.

Water campaigner Penny Bright is also standing for the mayoralty, and former Waitakere City councillor and comedian Ewen Gilmour has been on the campaign trail.

Meanwhile, Newmarket Business Association chief executive and National Party member Cameron Brewer is "testing the water" about standing for the Auckland Council after announcing he will step down from his job in September.

He is not ruling out standing against Citizens & Ratepayers if he believed he could beat one of its candidates and not split the centre-right vote.

Possible wards for him to contest are Albert-Eden-Roskill, where he lives, Waitemata and Gulf, which includes Newmarket, and Orakei where he is known.