Defiant Williams to stand in Super City elections

Andrew Williams told the media yesterday that he would not be resigning. Photo / Brett Phibbs

North Shore Mayor Andrew Williams has capitalised on this week's notoriety to announce he will be a candidate in the Super City elections.

Mr Williams told a media scrum yesterday that he would not be resigning, but intended to keep representing the people of the North Shore and promote issues relating to the Super City and leaky homes.

The first-term mayor said he had not decided whether to contest the mayoralty, stand for the Auckland Council or a local board, but when he did decide it would be as an independent.

"It is clear I have ruffled a few powerful feathers over leaky homes ... and people now understand the Super City will mean far less democracy and are genuinely frightened by the fact that 90 per cent of the city is set to be managed behind closed doors," he said.

Mr Andrews was in a defiant mood at a press conference after three days of criticism over his behaviour last Thursday where he drunk alcohol at two restaurants, allegedly urinated outside the council offices and drove his mayoral car home.

He gave the most detailed account yet of his drinking, which started about 1pm at a charity luncheon he hosted and continued off and on until about 9.30pm.

Mr Williams said he was not inebriated or over the alcohol limit when he drove from Takapuna to his home in Campbells Bay, but apologised to people who were offended at the allegation he relieved himself.

"Many men from all over parts of New Zealand have been caught from time-to-time short and when the call of nature is there sometimes you have to respond to it.

"I do apologise for that and I am heartily sorry. It is one of those things and will certainly not ever happen again," Mr Williams said.

He said he was a "good Kiwi bloke" and it had been proven that lemon trees enjoyed that sort of treatment.

"I have had a lot of men saying 'good on you mate' and 'we are right with you'." He was also "sorry" that "women can't have the opportunity".

In hindsight, he added, it would have been a good idea to use the toilet before leaving the bar.

After Local Government Minister Rodney Hide earlier called on Mr Williams to resign if the allegations about him drinking and driving were true, the Act leader yesterday said it was a matter for the voters of the North Shore to decide the mayor's future.

Nick Kearney, the Glenfield community board member who organised a letter, signed by five councillors and four community board members, calling on Mr Williams to resign, was not surprised at the mayor's response.

Mr Kearney said the letter had nothing to do with his role as secretary of the Act Party, rather it was concern about a pattern of behaviour by the mayor these past two-and-a-half years.

It was remarkable that someone so vociferous about the "rape and pillage" of the North Shore would now want to be part of the Super City, he said.

Mr Williams said: "They are trying to shoot the messenger on behalf of the Act Party, who is speaking out about the Auckland Super City issue and the rape and pillage of the North Shore in this Auckland takeover carried out by Rodney Hide."

The Mayor's diary

Thursday:

* 12.30pm-1pm: Meet and host guests for charity luncheon, Portofino restaurant, Hurstmere Rd, Takapuna (alcohol and water consumed).

* 4pm: Return to council for property acquisition meeting in mayoral office.

* 5.19pm: Return to guests at Portofino and settled the account.

* 6pm-9.30pm: Moved to GPK bar/restaurant in Hurstmere Rd at invitation of charity guests. Two bottles of red wine and water were consumed.

* 9.30pm: Left GPK and walked to council carpark to collect mayoral car. Would not confirm allegation of urinating outside council offices.

* 10ish: Arrived at Campbells Bay after driving home.

Friday:

* 6am: Arrived at TV3 studios for breakfast television.

* 6.45am: Breakfast television at Television New Zealand.