Auckland mayor Wayne Brown spent greater than $320,000 on successful a second time period in workplace, outspending his nearest rival Kerrin Leoni almost four-fold.
The incumbent had a snug win with 180,130 votes, to Leoni’s 77,577.
Brown’s marketing campaign, like his earlier tilt in 2022, was closely funded by massive names within the growth and development sector, with one of many largest donors once more being billionaire Graeme Hart’s Rank Group, which chipped in $50,000.
Particulars of donations and bills have been revealed in statutory declarations due in yesterday, and embody these solely inside the official three-month election interval.
Different main donors to Brown included downtown builders Tramco Group with $50,000, $25,000 from Peninsula Capital, and CP Group, and $20,000 contributions from Knight Investments, the Chow brothers’ Stonewood Group, the Golf Warehouse, and Aedifice Developments.
A donation to Brown’s marketing campaign of $18,400 got here from AHIL Park Hyatt Resort. The Auckland waterfront lodge is owned by China’s Fuh Wah group. Fuh Wah’s Auckland workplace supervisor Jean Wen is employed by Brown on a $2,000 month-to-month retainer for Chinese language translation providers.
Mayoral rival Kerrin Leoni is linked to the Labour Occasion however ran with out important backing. Her largest donor was former Labour cupboard minister Judith Tizard with $5,000, and West Auckland Labour determine Greg Presland with $7576.
The previous Auckland mayor, and one-time Labour Occasion chief Phil Goff, gave $1500 to Leoni’s marketing campaign.
In an uncommon transfer in Auckland native physique politics, Wayne Brown additionally donated to the Albany Ward marketing campaign of Victoria Brief, who ran on Brown’s Repair Auckland ticket, and succeeded in ousting Wayne Walker, one in all Brown’s avowed enemies.
Brown chipped in $4500 to Brief’s marketing campaign, however just isn’t proven as a donor to her Repair Auckland working mate Gary Brown (no relation) who missed out on a seat, to incumbent John Watson.
Two Repair Auckland candidates additionally ran within the Manukau Ward, failing to oust sitting Labour councillors who Brown disapproved of.
Repair Auckland candidate Vicky Hau’s return reveals a $1793 “in sort” donation, described as coming from “Wayne Brown, ℅ Workplace of the Mayor”.
The award for probably the most cost-effective marketing campaign goes to Orakei ward councillor, and returning deputy mayor Desley Simpson.
Simpson is a long-standing political determine within the rich Auckland seat, and self-funded a marketing campaign which declared complete bills of simply $575.
Whereas Brown’s marketing campaign spend of $323,000 seems important, it’s a giant step down from 2022 when he spent $469,947 within the three months to election day, combating a high-profile contest with well-known rivals.
In 2025, the election was largely a low-key affair, during which turnout for Auckland Council voting fell to a document low of 29 per cent.
