Your Views: Should the North Shore mayor resign?

North Shore Mayor Andrew Williams yesterday. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Reports of the North Shore mayor's drunken antics have incited strong reactions from his constituents - some want him sacked for bringing disrepute to the genteel district, while others are steadfast in support.

Five North Shore councillors have called for Mayor Andrew Williams to resign after it was reported he urinated on a tree outside the council building and drove home after a long drinking session.

North Shore residents reacted to those allegations today:

"He seems to be ... I think the modern expression is 'a bit of a loose cannon'," resident Michael Duncan told nzherald.co.nz in Takapuna this morning.

"It's not a look that reflects the relative conservatism, the nice middle-classness, of the North Shore."

Mr Duncan said Mr Williams should apologise and resign.

"He's a naughty boy. I think people in public positions should behave in a civilised manner.

"It's not the first time he's done it. It's not a one-off. A one-off you can forgive. But it seems to be a continuous litany of misbehaviour."

Kirby agreed, saying she was embarrassed at her mayor's behaviour.

"He's meant to be our mayor; he's meant to be an example for our people. And if he's drink driving - a couple of my friends have been done for it and they regret it - but they're not the mayor."

She also supported calls for Mr Williams to resign.

"I reckon we could have a better one. It's a little bit embarrassing. If our mayor's getting drunk and pissing everywhere it's really not a good look for the North Shore. We're meant to be the nice part of Auckland."

Though none of the women spoken to by nzherald.co.nz sided with Mr Williams, four of six men did.

Francis said most men had urinated in public before, and calls for Mr Williams' resignation had a political motivation.

"It's regrettable, the driving part of it, but as a guy, most guys have probably had a few drinks and had a piss somewhere on a tree or somewhere dark out of the way and he's unlikely to have been seen.

"I do feel there are people that are trying to have a go at him. He's made some enemies. I actually like that fact that he's outspoken on the issues that he is. The leaky homes thing is a shame to the Government and I believe their offer is pathetic. Also what he's been saying about the super city. It's like a corporate takeover of our city and I'm absolutely, 100 per cent behind him on what he's been saying about that."

Grant said the only definite fact was that Mr Williams had gone out for dinner and had a few drinks. The rest was speculative, he said.

"I just personally think it's his business. I think what he did was what any normal guy would do: you go out for a meal and have a few drinks.

"I think in that instance what happened is probably a bit exaggerated to be honest."

Another male resident said Mr Williams had been "stupid", but he was still a good mayor.

"I presume I know roughly the tree he's reported to have used. It's a stupid action but he does that sometimes. But I don't know that it affects his job as mayor."