Pint-sized superhero rescues Super City

Make-A-Wish recipient Johnny Jackson takes on a horde of zombies in Aotea Square with a water pistol and the assistance of Batman and the police. Photo / Jason Oxenham

Police give Johnny key to the city after he thwarts arch villains and zombies

Riding in the Batmobile, chasing the Riddler up the Sky Tower and saving Aotea Square from zombies have all been in a day's work for Johnny Jackson.

Johnny, now 9, was diagnosed with leukaemia when he was 4 years old. After 3 years of chemotherapy treatment he has recently entered remission. While he was sick, he made a wish to be a superhero.

Johnny receives the key to the city from Senior Sergeant Graeme Anderson. Photo / Jason Oxenham

The Make-A-Wish charity, with help from sponsor Fletcher Building, organised a day full of volunteers in which Johnny saved Auckland from baddies including the Joker, the Riddler, and a huge mob of zombies.

At the end of the day, police gave him the key to the city, before he flew off in a police chopper to do a final aerial survey of the city.

Johnny's dad, Christchurch truck driver Blair Jackson, said Johnny had loved every minute of the day.

"The highlight for Johnny had to be chasing the Riddler up the Sky Tower, he managed to get away by bungy jumping off it though," he said.

Senior Sergeant Graeme Anderson said this was the first time his officers had been involved in a zombie apocalypse.

Johnny takes down The Riddler. Photo / Jason Oxenham

"It was absolutely fantastic for us to be involved in something like this, I mean you have a young boy who has gone through some significant trauma in his life, but he has come out the other end as tough as nails. For us it's really just great to be involved in this type of community activity."

Make-A-Wish CEO Shane Gorst said the charity grants over 200 wishes a year. He said the charity is looking to grow the programme to a stage where they grant a wish every single day.