At a Chinese Business Association meeting this evening, mayoral candidate David Hay announced his intention to stand for a council seat, as well as the Mayoralty.

"The Auckland mayoral race is extraordinary, in that none of the current councillors is standing to replace Len Brown, and none of the declared candidates has experience of being on the council's governing body."

"I am going to stand for a ward seat, as well as the mayoralty, so I will be better prepared at the following elections, in 2019, if I am not elected Mayor this time." said Mr Hay. "The Local Electoral Act allows ward councillors to stand for the mayoralty, with the possibility of staying on council if they were to lose. Those rules also make it possible for a newcomer like me to stand for the Mayoralty and a ward."

"I have not decided which ward to stand for yet. I live on the North Shore, but I think Auckland councillors should represent the interests of the whole region, not a local ward." said Mr Hay. "I am seriously considering the two wards where councillors were elected unopposed at the last election: Orakei and Howick. Democracy is not well served when voters don't have a choice, or if elected representatives become complacent about their positions."

Mr Hay has challenged the other mayoral candidates to do the same.

"I'm interested to know whether the other candidates are genuinely committed to being part of the Auckland Council, or whether they are only considering the mayoralty." said Mr Hay. "I'm willing to knuckle down and do the work of a Councillor for the next three years, if I'm not elected Mayor this time. I wonder if the others will show the same commitment."

ENDS

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