2013 Auckland mayoral election

An election was held for the office of Mayor of Auckland on 12 October 2013. It was one of many triennial local elections that took place in Auckland and throughout New Zealand at the time.

Background
Incumbent Len Brown appeared at number seven by the City Mayors Foundation's 2012 World Mayor list.

Candidates

 * Len Brown (independent), incumbent mayor
 * John Palino (independent), restaurant manager and former host of television show The Kitchen Job
 * John Minto (Mana Movement), activist
 * Penny Bright (independent), activist
 * Uesifili Unasa (independent), Christian minister
 * David Willmott (Roads First), stood for mayor in 2010
 * Stephen Berry (Affordable Auckland), also candidate for the Waitematā and Gulf ward
 * Jesse Butler
 * Paul Duffy
 * Susanna Kruger (independent)
 * Matthew Goode
 * Annalucia Vermunt (Communist League)
 * Emmett Hussey
 * Phil O'Connor (Christians Against Abortion)
 * Wayne Young, homeless man and protester, stood for mayor in 2010
 * Reuben Shadbolt, son of Invercargill mayor Tim Shadbolt
 * Julia Parfitt, chair of Hibiscus and Bays local board

Prospective candidates who did not stand

 * Maurice Williamson (National), MP for Pakuranga
 * Cameron Brewer (independent), councillor for the Orākei ward

Campaign
Brown's priority for the city was the funding and commencement of the City Rail Link, which had 63% public support in June 2009.

Palino ran on a conservative policy platform, and his campaign was managed by Communities and Residents president and former National Party president John Slater. He opposed the urban intensification of some Auckland communities, including those on the North Shore, instead proposing a second central business district model based in Manukau.

Postal ballots were sent to voters from 20 September.

Opinion polling
– Some polls were taken after voting began on 20 September.

By local board
Source: