KEY POINTS:
Bruce Hucker is not commenting on speculation that he is retiring after 18 years as an Auckland City councillor and leader of the centre-left City Vision ticket for nearly 10 years.
City Vision politicians are staying tightlipped about the future of Dr Hucker, who has lost their confidence
over his hard line on higher water charges. Some colleagues believe his actions could cost them their jobs at October's local body elections.
Dr Hucker refused to comment yesterday.
City Vision chairman Robert Gallagher refused to comment on Dr Hucker after a campaign committee meeting on Tuesday night, which the Herald understands was the deadline for Dr Hucker to step down or be dumped from the ticket.
Asked if he expected Dr Hucker would be standing as a City Vision candidate in the Western Bays ward, Mr Gallagher said "no comment".
Two City Vision sources have hinted that Dr Hucker had agreed to retire after a bitter internal spat that has already seen him dumped as the leader of City Vision and a failed bid to dump him as deputy mayor.
The issue came to a head last month when City Vision issued a new water policy, saying the current policy of increasing water bills by 124 per cent over 10 years was not financially sustainable or fair for households.
Less than 24 hours later, Dr Hucker reiterated his support for the council policy of higher water bills.
Meanwhile, community activist Lisa Prager is the fifth person to announce she is standing for the Auckland City mayoralty.
Ms Prager said the council was being run as a business for big business and not for the benefit of the public.
"I believe council officers are running this city. Elected members need to take control. All the business decisions need to be taken out of confidential meetings in order for the public to learn how the city is run for their own benefit," she said.
Ms Prager is known for wearing cowboy hats and as spokeswoman for the Wake Up Auckland campaign that challenged the sale of pensioner houses and other policies under former mayor John Banks.
First-term Labour councillor John Hinchcliff, who is standing as an independent, has launched his campaign with a series of advertisements in community newspapers.
Dr Hinchcliff is promoting his leadership as the former head of Auckland University of Technology, promised financial responsibility and to engage people in charting the city's future.
The other candidates are Mayor Dick Hubbard, Mr Banks and porn king Steve Crow, who organised last year's Boobs on Bikes parade down Queen St.
