Len Brown to lead Auckland super city

Auckland has a new mayor. The new super city will be led by Len Brown, 53, after he beat sitting Auckland mayor John Banks, 63, by a substantial majority.

After 95 percent of the votes were counted, Mr Brown had 221,000 votes compared with 161,000 for Mr Banks.

Businessman Colin Craig was in third place with 40,483 votes.

The vote was predicted to be one of the tightest although polls gave Mr Brown an edge in the final few days before voting closed at midday today.

Mr Brown will lead the new super city when it comes into force next month. It replaces eight councils in Auckland.

In an acceptance speech at a conference centre on One Tree Hill today before the official results had been released, Mr Brown said it had been a tough and torrid campaign.

"John and I have given it our very best shot and have covered off all the concerns people could have about how we might and should and could go forward."

He thanked his family and supporters but he also thanked Mr Banks for the call to congratulate him on his victory.

Mr Brown was elected mayor of Manukau in 2007, succeeding Sir Barry Curtis.

A lawyer, Brown was a Manukau city councillor for four terms before he was elected mayor.