Long-standing city councillor and former deputy mayor Darren Ludlow announced yesterday he will stand for the mayoralty this year.
"I had expressed interest in a position for quite a few years, but always said the time was not right."
After 18 years on the council, he had been asked by people "to step forward", he said.
He said he would focus on the leadership and would try to engage with everyone.
"As a mayor you are not a sole decision-maker but you can set the tone of how council behaves."
Mr Ludlow said this was an important moment for the area with the inner-city development and he believed that it was time for a more "hands on" mayor.
The incumbent, Sir Tim Shadbolt, is New Zealand's longest-serving mayor.
"Tim served us really well for many years. I just don't see anything new. He is also really busy and he needs to be away quite often. We need a mayor that is here most of the time."
Sir Tim said Mr Ludlow told him about his candidacy earlier this week and he appreciated the gesture.
"It certainly makes the election much more interesting ... and obviously improves my chances of election."
The third contender, current deputy mayor Rebecca Amundsen, said she was excited about October's election.
"It is good because people will have a good variety of candidates to choose [from]. This is a good opportunity to change."
