Super City contestant prepares for 'most exciting year of life'

Time with the family is treasured. Photo / Jason Dorday

Auckland City Mayor John Banks plans to spend time at home with family these holidays before "getting out and about to enjoy the many events that Auckland celebrates over the summer".

"Top of my list will be ... the Auckland [Anniversary] Day regatta, the classic car show at Kumeu, the surfing championships at Piha, and the Waiheke Wine and Food Festival," he said.

He also wants to catch up on "a pile of reading", including reports about the London Plan (the long-term development plan for London), and London Mayor Boris Johnson's economic development strategy.

"[They] may have some useful lessons for Auckland," said Mr Banks.

Auckland history, which he calls his "great passion", will also feature heavily on his reading list.

"I'm looking forward to reading Bee Dawson's lavishly illustrated history of Hobsonville; Urban Village: The Story of Ponsonby, Freemans Bay and St Marys Bay; and Nga Tama Toa, the history of the Maori Battalion from 1939 to '45."

Mr Banks said 2010 would be "the most exciting year of my life" as he looked forward to contesting the mayoral election for the new Auckland Super City in October.