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Manukau Mayor Len Brown has confirmed that he wants to run Auckland's new super city.
Brown broke the news on TVNZ's Q+A programme and minutes later another high profile politician ruled himself out of the race.
"I'm ready. I'm standing for the mayor of all of Auckland," Brown said.
But New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has categorically stated that he has no intention of standing.
"N-O, do you want me to put a sign up? I have never ever said I would," said Peters.
Brown says he will campaign on a platform of unifying the city.
"A mayor must lead but true leaders do so in an inclusive way, taking the community with them," he said.
Brown wants Maori seats on the super city, saying they have a special and significant place in Auckland, but special seats are not on the government's agenda.
Local Government Minister Rodney Hide says the intention is for every person to have a vote of equal value and for every position of political power to be the subject of a free and open contest.
Brown's Manukau City rejected having separate Maori wards but he says that is because they have strong Maori representation on the council.
"I believe that going forward 1.4 million Aucklanders want to see Maori around that table."
Auckland's current mayor, John Banks, is the only other confirmed candidate and he says he respects his opponent.
"He wants this job, he has stepped up to the plate. Anyone who steps up to public office and civic duty deserves to be congratulated. I wish him well," says Banks.
And Rodney Mayor Penny Webster says she would like to work with Len Brown if her district is sucked up into Auckland's super city. Webster says Brown will be a good candidate as he will stand as an independent. She told TVNZ's Q&A it would be wrong for Auckland to be spilt down left or right party lines.
Brown had a major heart scare last year but says his health is now "brilliant".
And he has been buoyed by the support and encouragement from his community.
"It's also really time for someone to step up, to really start moving to bring our communities together, right across the region. With all of our ethnic diversity and cultural diversity - this is the time."
