Simpson not running

The Herald reports:

Auckland Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson says she will support Mayor Wayne Brown at the upcoming election. …

She said while sometimes Brown used some colourful language, his substance and vision were good for Auckland.

This is a good decision – both for Desley and Auckland. Having two non-left candidates could split the vote.

Brown confirmed that if re-elected, it would be his last term as mayor and that he would serve the whole term.

He also told media he and Simpson had never had a row or an “unpleasant conversation”.

Brown said he and Simpson had complementary approaches to Auckland Council governance.

This sets Desley up as the presumptive front-runner in 2028.