John Banks seeks Epsom seat

Former Auckland City mayor John Banks' latest political move has seen him target the Epsom electorate. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Former Auckland mayor and National MP John Banks has put his name forward to be the next Act party candidate in the Epsom electorate held by the party's deposed leader Rodney Hide.

Mr Banks today confirmed he would seek the Act nomination for the right-leaning seat, which Mr Hide has won in the past two general elections.

His announcement comes seven months after he lost to former Manukau mayor Len Brown in a contest for the Auckland mayoralty.

The decision to go back into politics was made because he still cares "passionately" about the country and principles of the Act Party, he said.

He was sure party leader and long-time friend Don Brash would support his candidacy.

"I met Don in 1981. I campaigned with him for parliament then. He is a friend. He is supportive. He invited me to stand and presumably he supports my nomination."

Nominations for the Act Epsom candidacy close on May 24.

The party's hold on Epsom is seen as important to convince voters that a vote for Act will not be wasted, which could happen only if the party failed to win 5 per cent of the party vote or an electorate seat.

Mr Banks said he still had energy for national politics despite three decades as an MP and a mayor.

His age - 64 - would not stop him launching a gruelling campaign if he won the Epsom nomination, he said.

"I'm only half way through my political career.

"You can't take anything for granted. People expect their MPs to work hard and I'm going to do that."

He claimed to have learnt from his loss to Mr Brown last year.

"Every loss teaches you something.

"But I take heart from the fact eight out of 10 people in Epsom voted for me to be mayor."

Dr Brash earlier said he was "delighted" Mr Banks was going for the selection, and he still felt that Mr Hide would best serve the party by not standing in the election.