Mixed reactions as Desley Simpson supports Wayne Brown for second term as Auckland Mayor

• Desley Simpson supports Mayor Wayne Brown’s re-election bid and will remain his deputy if successful.
• Opinions are mixed; some praise Simpson’s skills, while others doubt her influence on Brown’s leadership style.
• Kerrin Leoni, the only confirmed mayoral challenger, criticises the partnership, citing concerns about Brown’s past behaviour.

Desley Simpson’s decision to support Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown’s bid for a second term and not stand for the top role herself has drawn a mixed response from political colleagues.

Brown today announced Simpson was part of his “Fix Auckland” team and would serve a second term as his deputy if the pair get re-elected at October’s local body elections.

In Simpson’s political stronghold of Remuera, Meadowbank, Glendowie and the nearby beachside suburbs, Ōrākei Local Board chairman Scott Milne said there was 100% support behind the “renowned councillor”.

“Not everyone will be happy. I’m sure not all the councillors will be happy.”

Ōrākei Local Board chairman Scott Milne and Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson. Photo / Alex Burton

Milne described the Ōrākei councillor as a “class act” who would have made a great mayor, but noted the mayor was only one vote and Simpson’s skill was talking across the table and getting consensus.

“Between them, they are a good set to get stuff done,” Milne said.

Whau councillor Kerrin Leoni, the only confirmed challenger for the mayoralty, said it would have been nice to have another woman in the race.

Leoni did not think Simpson stood any chance of changing Brown’s abrasive style of leadership and the next term would be a rerun of this term.

“She has expressed concern in the past about him putting her down, and she is only good for shopping for Lamborghinis,” Leoni said.

In March, Brown suggested that “all she thinks about is how to help people buy their next Lamborghini”, a comment for which he later apologised. He said the comment was “taken out of context”.

“I have also heard concerns that when he has had meetings with ministers, she is not always invited to the table,” Leoni said.

“What kind of relationship is that? If that continues into the next term, that is not good for Auckland.”

Christine Fletcher is not surprised Simpson is not contesting the mayoralty – "we've been witnessing a little dance".

Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa councillor Christine Fletcher, who, like Simpson, is a member of the National Party, said she did not expect her colleague to contest the mayoralty.

“We’ve been witnessing a little dance. This has come as no surprise,” Fletcher said.

Manurewa-Papakura councillor Angela Dalton said Simpson would be an excellent future mayor for Auckland.

“However, for this election, I guess she will be continuing as an excellent councillor for Ōrākei,” she said.

Maungakiekie-Tāmaki councillor Josephine Bartley said she did not have any preference as to whether Simpson should have stood for mayor or not, saying: “Whatever Desley does, she excels in the role.”

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