Job hunting can feel daunting when you don’t tick every box on a job ad.But SEEK says many employers are looking for more than just a perfect résumé, they’re looking for enthusiasm.Over a third of job seekers (37%) say they struggle to know if they’re a good match for a role.Yet 65% of hirers are more likely to hire someone who shows strong passion for the job over someone who simply fits the skill list.And 71% will still consider a candidate without all the required years of experience if they bring transferable skills.So, if you’re hesitating to apply because you don’t meet every requirement, don’t hold back. Passion and potential count.When scanning job ads, SEEK suggests focusing on six key things:Technical skillsPeople-related skillsEducation and qualificationsIndustry experienceCompany cultureCareer goalsRight now, SEEK has more than 700 listings across Rodney and the North Shore.TradeMe lists over 350, and Indeed has 75-plus.Closer to home, there are 10 local jobs listed this week on the Hibiscus Coast App — all within reach for Coasties wanting to work closer to home.And if you’re a local business hiring, you can post a job for just $49 +GST and get unlimited exposure to local job seekers.Weekly job posts on the Hibiscus Coast App go straight to locals via social media and text, putting Coast employers in front of the right people fast.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Mental Health Awareness Week runs from 6–12 October, with this year’s theme — Top Up Together — encouraging everyone to strengthen wellbeing through connection.The nationwide campaign builds on the Five Ways to Wellbeing: connect, give, take notice, keep learning, and be active.The focus this year is on doing these things together, with research showing that shared, community-based activities bring lasting mental health benefits.Social connection plays a huge role in wellbeing, helping people feel valued, supported, and part of something bigger.Activities such as volunteering, group fitness, shared learning, or community events can lift mood and build a sense of belonging.Workplaces and schools across the Hibiscus Coast are encouraged to get involved by trying simple activities that make a real difference.From mindful colouring breaks and wellbeing quizzes to team chats using conversation cards designed to spark open conversations.Local organisations can also use free online resources like event guides, social media graphics, and wellbeing activity templates to help staff and students join in the week.Mental Health Awareness Week is about slowing down, connecting, and remembering that small moments of care and connection can have a big impact.Whether it’s a chat over coffee or a shared walk along the beach.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

The past year has tested every business owner on the Hibiscus Coast.Rising costs, cautious customers, and economic uncertainty have created real pressure to tighten belts across the board.Yet amid these challenges, smart business owners are recognising opportunity.Here's the hard truth: cutting marketing when times get tough is like turning off your lighthouse in a storm.Your business becomes invisible precisely when visibility matters most.Marketing isn't an expense.It's your lifeline to customers, your tool for building trust, and your competitive edge.It ensures you're top-of-mind when Coasties are ready to buy.Practical Strategies That WorkStart Close to Home:Your existing customers are your greatest asset.Focus on encouraging genuine reviews, creating simple referral incentives, and following up with past customers to maintain relationships.Build Your Digital Foundation: Every Hibiscus Coast business needs a professional website that loads quickly on mobile, active presence on 1-2 social channels, and local platform visibility where neighbours actually look for services.Focus on What Counts:Track website traffic and conversion rates, cost per lead across different channels, and return on marketing investment.The businesses thriving right now are those measuring performance and adapting quickly.The Changing Marketing Reality Consumer behavior has evolved dramatically, leaving many traditional marketing approaches ineffective.Physical advertisements generate awareness but rarely drive immediate purchases.Monthly publications depend on perfect timing and customer memory.Online searches now compete with automated responses and multiple distractions.Today's customers operate in decision mode rather than discovery mode.Instead of actively hunting for services, they make choices from options that appear naturally within their daily routines.Frequency matters more than reach.Being seen repeatedly by the right people builds trust faster than being seen once by everyone.Where Coasties Actually Look The Hibiscus Coast App serves over 40,892 active Auckland users with a 70% engagement rate and 1.1 million user interactions over the past 12 months.Every day, thousands of Coasties open the app to find local businesses.They're not browsing casually.They're searching for someone nearby to call, visit, or book.When Coasties turn to the app, they're ready to act, not just browse.This shift from awareness marketing to action marketing is where real results happen.You're visible where trust already lives, in the app they know and use daily.Your Action PlanThis season, focus on three simple steps:Keep what works - Double down on your best-performing marketingCut what doesn't - Stop spending on channels that aren't deliveringStay visible locally - Be present where Coasties are already lookingThe businesses thriving right now aren't spending more on marketing. They're spending smarter.Your marketing doesn't need to be expensive or complicated.It just needs to reach locals when they're ready to buy.Ready for easy local visibility?The Hibiscus Coast App is where locals find trusted businesses, news, events, jobs, and more, all in one place. Done-for-you local ads, mobile-first, no stress.Click here to get started →This article is sponsored content designed to help local businesses understand effective marketing strategies for the Hibiscus Coast market.

After 47 years of crafting bold, colourful ceramics that have brightened homes and gardens across New Zealand, much-loved pottery studio Morris & James is closing for good on 16 November.Founded by Anthony Morris and Sue James in 1977, the Matakana workshop became a regional treasure, a favourite stop for many Hibiscus Coast locals on weekend trips north.The decision to close was not sudden.Read more here: Morris & James Pottery to CloseThe team explored selling but ultimately chose to wind things down gently, finishing production on 10 November with the last of their clay and bisqueware.That means there is still a short window for Coasties to visit, pick up a keepsake, or use any remaining gift vouchers before the doors close.Morris & James say stock is moving quickly, and it is best to phone rather than message or email if you are after something special.Their Closing Down Sale runs from 1 to 16 November, a final chance to take home a piece of genuine New Zealand craftsmanship before it is gone for good.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Check in with your mates, your family and your friends - that's the message from Matt Doocey for Mental Health Awareness Week.New Zealand's first minister for mental health said the awareness week - which runs from Monday to Sunday - was a great opportunity to connect with friends and family "to see how they're going".It was part of the theme for Mental Health Awareness Week, he said.The 2025 theme was Top Up Together and focused on the five ways of wellbeing - connect/me whakawhanaunga, give back/tukua, be active/me kori tonu, take notice/me aro tonu, and keep learning/me ako tonu."The five ways of wellbeing is an evidence-based initiative whereby implementing the five ways of wellbeing in your life daily can actually improve your mental wellbeing," Doocey said.Monday's connect theme was about making social connections and having a sense of feeling connected, loved or belonging, according to the Mental Health Foundation website.On Tuesday the theme was "give" which was about kindness, altruism or generosity including carrying out acts of kindness to bring happiness and satisfaction.Being active, Wednesday's theme, was not only important for physical wellbeing, but was also a powerful mood booster, the website said.Taking notice, on Thursday, referred to the practice of mindfulness, being receptive and aware.And on Friday, the keep learning theme was about "exercising our mind"."Learning something new together with friends or whānau can boost motivation, enhance understanding and offer a sense of shared growth and discovery," the website said.Doocey encouraged people to try implementing the five ways of wellbeing in their life every day this Mental Health Awareness Week.He said it was very "mportant to acknowledge" Mental Health Awareness Week and he was keen to "really showcase the great work that the community is doing"."I'd encourage everyone to head to the Mental Health Foundation website and look for Mental Health Awareness Week initiatives in their local community to either participate in, or people might like to think about setting up their own Mental Health Awareness Week programmes."The minister said his message was to reach out to others."Quite often people can suffer in silence with mental health and it's an opportunity to really break down the barriers and reach out and talk to someone who might have the need to want to share their concerns at the time."He said it was important that Kiwis continued to break down the barriers of stigma and discrimination around mental health."We've done very well as a country creating an environment where people are more open talking about their mental health needs, but quite often people can be still a bit shy about reaching out."And I think the ability for someone to check in with a friend or family member allows them the permission to actually maybe voice for the first time that they are under a bit of pressure, maybe a bit of stress and they need someone to talk to."And that might be the first time that they felt safe in doing that. So it's a good week to try something new of checking in with your mates, your family and your friends."

Cyber Smart Week is back, and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is urging New Zealanders to take their online safety as seriously as their home security.The NCSC says over 4.3 million Kiwi account details are already in the hands of scammers.A worrying figure that’s prompted the launch of a new tool, How Exposed Am IThe site, part of the Own Your Online initiative, lets users check whether their email or password has been caught up in any of the 73 billion data points from global data breaches.Director of Mission Enablement, Mike Jagusch, says the risks are real and rising. “This year, 53% of New Zealand’s small to medium businesses told us they experienced a cyber threat in the past six months, significantly higher than the 36% reported last year.”While 94% of small businesses agree that cyber security is important, many wrongly believe they’re already protected. “That perception is preventing them from taking simple but crucial steps like turning on two-factor authentication or regularly backing up data,” Jagusch says.The consequences are costly.From financial losses and downtime to damaged reputations.For Hibiscus Coast businesses, the message is clear: check your exposure, switch on 2FA, and back up your data. Whether you’re a tradie, café owner, or working from home, a few simple steps could make the difference between a normal workday and a crisis.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Welcome to The Week That Was.Your go-to recap of important news, stories, and updates for the Hibiscus Coast community.Penlink Project Powers Ahead With October WorksRead more →Coast Teen Arrested After Albany Theft
Read more →Coast Gastropub Denied Alcohol Licence RenewalRead more →Metro Park West Finally Gets Green LightRead more →Orewa’s Shoreward Hit by Burglary and FireRead more →Your Coast. Your news. Your app.Download the Hibiscus Coast App for instant local updates. Anytime, anywhere.

The Financial Markets Authority wants consumers to complain more, and for companies to listen.The FMA has found that fewer than than one-third of people were confident that they knew how to complain about their financial service provider.Those who said they would have liked to have complained, said they did not, because they either doubted the outcome, did not know how to complain, or thought it was probably too difficult to complain anyway.FMA executive director, licensing and conduct supervision Clare Bolingford said the authority wanted financial service providers to ensure consumers knew how to complain and how their complaints would be dealt with, were easily accessible, and fit for purpose."Companies are burying complaints processes deep on their websites, requiring details a customer may not have to hand and treating customers in a defensive and dismissive way," Bolingford said.Among the FMA's other findings were: almost one in three complaints were unresolved, and of those who wanted to complain, a third thought there was no point in complaining because nothing would happen.It also found 57 percent of complainants were satisfied with the handling of their complaint, while 21 percent were dissatisfied.Complaining as learningFMA director of deposit taking and insurance and advice Richard Hewes said New Zealanders' own "she'll be right" attitudes often held them back from complaining.But he encouraged consumers to complain more and for financial services providers to use those complaints as a learning exercise, rather than an adversarial situation."Providers should learn from complaints, use it as a mechanism to review your products and services," Hewes said."If you are seeing and hearing about complaints from consumers, use it as a learning opportunity - clearly there is something not quite right with your product and service, and it is a great opportunity to change it."Hewes said where consumers and financial service providers reach a deadlock, the provider would escalate the complaint to a disputes resolution.He said disputes resolution providers did a "fantastic job" for consumers, are independent of financial services providers, and free of charge.

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown’s blunt “F off” reply to the Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance has fuelled criticism over his refusal to sign the Ratepayer Protection Pledge, raising questions about his stance on council accountability.Sam Warren, spokesperson for the Ratepayers’ Alliance, said the Mayor’s claims about the pledge were simply wrong.“Wayne Brown clearly hasn’t even read the pledge before mouthing off. He’s claiming it would stop independent members on the Council’s Audit and Risk Committee, but that’s just not true. He’s resorting to making things up and personal abuse. That kind of behaviour does not ‘fix Auckland’,” Warren said.The pledge, designed to protect ratepayers from unelected influence on spending and regulatory committees, makes clear that Audit and Risk, along with advisory committees, are excluded.“The Mayor is either confused or deliberately misleading Aucklanders,” Warren said.For Coast residents already grappling with rising rates and big-ticket infrastructure costs, the clash highlights ongoing worries about trust and transparency at Auckland Council. Locals paying into the city’s budget want clear answers on where their money goes, not political point-scoring.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

More than 6000 fines have been dished out to Auckland dog owners who have repeatedly ignored warnings from Auckland Council to register their pets.Auckland Council has been cracking down on dog owners to register their dogs or be hit with an infringement fine of $300, or face the court.As of 1 October, 6027 infringement notices were sent to dog owners who ignored earlier warnings - an increase of about 7.5 percent on last year's 5572.The fines were sent after earlier pre-infringement notices in August to 21,600 to dog owners, by email and post, and an extension of the usual deadline by two weeks to give people extra time to pay.Animal Management manager Elly Waitoa said the lack of progress was deeply disappointing."Frankly, we're frustrated," Waitoa said."We've done everything we can to make it easy for people - multiple reminders, extended grace periods, and clear communication - but too many dog owners are still refusing to meet their basic responsibilities."In February, council sent out 5572 infringement notices to dog owners.Council figures show more than 29,084 dogs remain unregistered by their owners as of August 1, when council rolled over to charging a late fee.Waitoa said registration wasn't optional."It isn't red tape. It's a legal requirement, and it's how we fund critical animal management services from dealing with roaming dogs to prosecuting owners whose animals attack people or other pets."She said council data showed a clear link between unregistered dogs and higher rates of roaming and attacks.Last registration year was the first time council issued bulk infringements, and a total of 3372 infringements totalling more than $910,000 remained outstanding.While over a third of the dogs who were infringed last year have since been registered, Waitoa said it's still nowhere near enough and the overall level of compliance remains too low."It's frustrating and disheartening to see the message still isn't sinking in, that dog owners think the rules don't apply to them."The time for leniency and excuses is over - it's about fairness to the majority of dog owners who already do the right thing."She said owners now have 28 days to pay their fines.If unpaid, a final reminder will be issued, giving a further 28 days to pay before the infringement is transferred to the Ministry of Justice for enforcement."Ignoring the rules won't make them go away. If you haven't registered your dog yet, do it now or face the consequences."LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

The Commerce Commission has ordered PD Mart to stop selling car seats after uncovering safety concerns and potentially misleading labelling that suggested compliance with recognised standards.Vanessa Horne, the Commission’s General Manager for Competition, Fair Trading, and Credit, says protecting children is non-negotiable. “The Commission has zero tolerance for risks to children’s safety. Product safety is one of our enduring priorities under the Fair Trading Act,” she says.The seats in question may not meet key safety requirements. Some lacked clear installation instructions, raising fears that parents could unknowingly fit them incorrectly. “When critical information regarding installation and use is not provided, the consequences can be serious,” Horne says.PD Mart, which rebranded from Panda Mart, has now recalled the affected models and is offering refunds. According to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, 176 units across seven models are involved in the recall.The watchdog is especially concerned that lower-cost products with possible safety issues may unfairly impact families with fewer financial options. PD Mart has previously marketed its products as up to 30% cheaper than competitors, making them attractive to parents trying to stretch household budgets.For Coast families, this news is a reminder to double-check car seats, especially when shopping for lower-priced models online or in Auckland stores. The Commission’s wider investigation into PD Mart continues, covering car seats and other children’s products previously linked to recalls.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

New Zealand Food Safety has recalled two batches of Piper’s brand Milkshake Biscuits after tests revealed undeclared pistachio in the ingredients, creating a risk for people with nut allergies.The recall covers Piper’s Milkshake Biscuits Original (120g, best before 15/04/2026) and Caramel (120g, best before 18/04/2026).The products were sold nationwide at Reduced to Clear stores, but not on the Hibiscus Coast itself. Coast shoppers who may have bought them elsewhere in Auckland are advised to check their cupboards and look closely at the date mark printed on the front of the box.New Zealand Food Safety says people with a pistachio allergy or intolerance should not eat the products. Anyone who has consumed them and is concerned about their health should seek medical advice.For those not allergic or intolerant to pistachio, the recall does not apply.Affected customers are asked to return the products to their retailer for a full refund. No other Piper’s products are affected by the recall.Know something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

Looking for plans?Explore events happening soon on the Hibiscus Coast and start planning your next activity.Silverdale Village MarketSat Oct 4Click here for more detailsOrewa Repair CafeSun Oct 5 Click here for more detailsOrewa Beach Farmers MarketSun Oct 5Click here for more details Want to see more events?Explore Things To Do in our community in the Hibiscus Coast App anytime, anywhere.Got an event coming up? List it free today →

If you were driving along Orewa this week, you might’ve noticed damage at Shoreward, the popular local gastrobar near the beach.In the early hours of Tuesday, a vehicle was driven into the gastrobar and a fire was set during what police say was a burglary.Thankfully, quick-thinking members of the public acted fast to put out the flames before emergency crews arrived.Their efforts likely saved the building from more serious damage and meant the establishment could be secured before dawn.Police are investigating the break-in and are asking for the community’s help.If you saw anything unusual or have video footage from the area, you can contact police on 105 or online at police.govt.nz/use-105, quoting job number P063967549.For Coasties, this is a reminder of how close-knit the Hibiscus Coast is.The fact that locals were on the scene and acted so quickly shows the strength of community spirit here.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Aucklanders have until midday Saturday 11 October to return their local election votes, but many still face the challenge of choosing who to support.Council leaders say the key is to look for candidates who bring capability, representation, and clear policies to the table. That means checking whether a candidate has the decision-making skills to handle budgets, planning changes, and public assets.“Elected members are expected to absorb many reports, attend lots of meetings, talk to communities about issues that affect them and work with staff and colleagues productively,” says Auckland Council’s General Manager Governance and Engagement, Lou-Ann Ballantyne.Representation also matters. Candidates should be able to stand up for the full range of people in their area, making sure diverse voices are heard when decisions are made.Policy positions are another important guide. From public transport and urban growth to climate change and budget management, voters are encouraged to support candidates whose ideas match their own priorities.Past performance can also help voters decide. Council meeting webcasts, media coverage, and social media activity show how current members engage with their communities.Candidates may stand on a political ticket or run independently. Either way, the advice is the same: choose those who reflect your values and can bring balance.For Coasties, where local decisions directly affect transport, housing, and community facilities, making an informed choice ensures stronger representation at the council table.For more information about candidates, check out our local elections 2025 section hereKnow something local worth sharing?Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.

The mayor is urging as many Aucklanders as possible to vote ahead of next weekend's local election to "send Wellington a message".The incumbent, Wayne Brown, made the late plea to the city's residents on Thursday, determined to exceed the 2022 election turnout.In the 2022 elections, 405,149 people - just 35.5 percent of those enrolled - voted.Brown said a vote for his campaign "gives a mandate to negotiate with Wellington for funding and a city deal"."This is our chance to send Wellington the message loud and clear: Auckland is not your ATM," Brown said."They need to know we're serious about fixing our city, stopping the waste and getting things done. A high turnout gives us the power to make that stand."Don't just complain about the state of the city - get your ballot in the box and vote to fix it."That message was backed by Ōrākei Councillor Desley Simpson."Voting is a lot simpler than relying on the post office. Convenient boxes are located in city libraries, Woolworths supermarkets and other community hubs across the city."A strong Auckland needs a representative council, and that only happens when people vote. We need a positive focus, and that starts with every Aucklander making their voice heard."Brown's main rival in the mayoral election race, Kerrin Leoni, though disagreed with the incumbent mayor's campaign focus on central government."In terms of increasing the voter turnout, that should definitely be about getting the voice of Aucklanders as opposed to your mandate to central government."I think that there should be a better agreement between Auckland and Wellington and I've obviously talked about GST. There should be some form of resources that is given specifically to Wellington knowing that we are the biggest city."But I wouldn't agree that we are an ATM. I don't know where he's got that phrase from. When you look at Wellington and what they're providing for other cities, there's a shortage right across the country."So I think that that's a comment that can be seen, possibly because we don't have a state law like other countries like Australia who have got states in between where, regardless of who's in central government, that money is locked in for that region, for infrastructure and regardless of whether it's left or right that's in government, that money is there."I think we've only gone up to 11 percent or 12 percent now of voter turnout right across the whole city of 1.2 million potential voters. And for me, that is a true reflection of the fact people are just not confident with what they've been offered in terms of the way that the messaging has gone out."If we only reach 20 percent for this election, I believe that that is a huge reflection of Aucklanders not even knowing that there's an election on. And that's the danger here… that people will be elected without Aucklanders understanding who else is standing and who else they can choose from."Kerrin Leoni at her fiscal plan announcement.Kerrin Leoni. Photo: RNZ / Jessica HopkinsAs of Thursday 2 October, voter turnout was at 14.7 percent according to the Auckland Council website.Leoni said a big part of that was because Brown had not engaged in mayoral debates with her in the media."Now that's just unheard of, and that's actually blocking democracy for Aucklanders because they should be listening to us debating together. We should both be posed questions and given the ability to respond to them so that Aucklanders can see the difference on how we respond and what the difference on our policies are."I think the low voter turnout is due to the fact that we have not had the huge amount of media that you would normally get as a result of these debates."The focus should be giving Aucklanders, you know, more of an idea of who is standing, how they're standing, what they're standing on in this last week. Of course, it is about getting the vote turnout. It shouldn't be about our mandate to Wellington at all."Voting in the 2025 local elections is open until 12 noon, Saturday 11 October.

The Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA) says the government’s reply to the long-awaited Frontier Economics electricity market report has fallen flat, with just two of ten recommendations taken up.EMA Head of Advocacy Alan McDonald said many of the proposals, such as selling off government stakes in power companies or forcing distribution firms to merge, were never realistic.But he argued rejecting regulatory reform and market consolidation leaves local businesses stuck with volatile power bills.“Under the current settings, we’ve gone from attracting international business with low electricity costs to the closure of our own businesses as a result of higher domestic pricing,” McDonald said.He pointed to some firms being hit with contract renewals up 30–50 percent.The report followed last winter’s sharp electricity price spikes.While the government has ruled out large-scale changes, industry is pressing ahead with its own measures: Huntly’s coal-fired units could run for another decade, new gas fields are being tapped, and fast-track consents are expected to bring more solar and wind generation online.McDonald said options like deep-bore geothermal look promising, but the ban on gas exploration without a transition plan remains a problem.“If you don’t look, you certainly won’t find any new gas,” he added.For the Hibiscus Coast, where many small manufacturers and trades rely on stable supply, ongoing price shocks mean higher operating costs and tougher conditions for growth.Locals waiting on promised savings from new renewables may have to brace for higher bills before relief arrives.Seen something local we should cover?Let us know at [email protected]

Coasties, here’s what the next four days have in store:Friday, 3/10Rain turning heavy, chance of thunder, strong northerlies.High: 21Low: 13Saturday, 4/10Showers, heavier in afternoon, easing nor’wester.High: 19Low: 11Sunday, 5/10Showers increasing later, fresh westerlies.High: 17Low: 11Monday, 6/10Partly cloudy with a shower, strong westerlies.High: 18Low: 13Want more weather info?Tap into the full Weather & Travel section in the Hibiscus Coast App for:🌊 Tide times🌬️ Wind conditions🌊 Wave updates🌞 UV levels🏖️ Safe swimming spots...and plenty more.Everything you need, right here in the Hibiscus Coast App – anytime, anywhere!

Incumbent Auckland mayor Wayne Brown has backtracked after saying he might not finish a full term if reelected.In an interview with Stuff, Brown would not rule out handing over the mayoralty to Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson before his three-year term was up.Launching his reelection campaign in February, Brown said he would only seek one more term as mayor.He told RNZ on Wednesday that he intended to complete an entire second term.Brown said his earlier comments were in response to a hypothetical question and had been blown out of proportion.But his Auckland mayoral rival Kerrin Leoni accused him of not being fully committed.Auckland mayoral candidate Kerrin Leoni accused mayor Brown of "not being fully committed". Photo: RNZ / Jessica Hopkins"Why would you put your name up to be mayor if you're talking about possibly finishing the job halfway through the term and handing it over to someone else? That's really poor leadership."She speculated his comments were a campaign strategy."Voter turnout is low. I'm sure he and his campaign team are concerned whether they had to pull a comment out like that because the feedback I'm hearing - even from people who would normally be voters from the right - is that they're not confident about his leadership."Saying something like Desley taking over, I think, is just a tactic to try and get more votes."Less than two weeks out from a new mayor being elected, almost 12 percent of eligible Aucklanders had cast their votes.Brown previously confirmed Simpson would remain as deputy mayor if he was reelected on 11 October.Auckland mayor Wayne Brown. Photo: MARIKA KHABAZI / RNZShe is standing for reelection as the Ōrākei Ward councillor unopposed on Brown's Fix Auckland ticket.Leoni said Simpson was also her first choice to be her deputy if she was elected."I would be more than happy to have her as my deputy mayor and to work with her to run the city."A spokesperson for Brown's campaign said Leoni's suggestion was laughable."Wayne and Desley have been on a united ticket for this election. People have been impressed by having a strong team approach, united in wanting to fix Auckland."Simpson said she was not expecting to replace Brown if he was reelected."As I have said many times, I am very happy to support Wayne as we deliver for Auckland through the next term. My understanding is that he was talking about a purely hypothetical scenario as it's not something we've discussed."