Wellington mayor puts lunch date on auction block

Wellington mayor Justin Lester. Photo / Mark Mitchell.

Wellington's mayor Justin Lester is going on a date - but it's not an affair, it's all to help a local school.

He's agreed to a lunch date with whoever makes the highest bid on a TradeMe auction, which is raising money for Brooklyn Primary School.

At the time of publication, bidding had reached $80, with 10 people putting the auction on their Watchlist.

Lester called that "impressive", and said he'd been worried he would only fetch $8.70.

"So thanks, Mum, for bidding on me."

While the Mayor is married with two children, his wife Elizabeth doesn't seem to have any objections to the idea.

She's not even tempted to bid for him herself to block any potential suitors.

"My wife said she wasn't keen [to bid for me].

"My daughters were scrimping together their pocket money, but at $2 a week that's gonna take them a little while."

Brooklyn Primary is fundraising to landscape a "well loved" natural play area of the school.

The winner of the auction will be taken to lunch by Justin Lester, with the cost of lunch included in the prize.

The listing promises the winner can bring a friend or partner, suggesting the date could be a great Christmas gift for a person who's hard to buy for.

It goes on to say that the winner will have the opportunity to ask the Mayor "whatever you want".

How does Lester feel about that last condition?

"Terrified."

Anyone wanting to help the fundraising without bidding on the date can also go to the school fair, Sunday November 26, 11am-3pm.

It's being held at the school, at 58 Washington Ave, Brooklyn, Wellington.