A New Generation of Leadership 

Inspirational, Inclusive, Decisive, Articulate

Auckland needs identity, direction and design. To achieve this, we need new leadership and a new style of leadership. 

Pride, prejudice and politics as usual have brought us to the brink. We need remarkable new solutions for pervasive old problems. We need to embrace change and emerge united, stronger and smarter. We must address our ailments with objectivity not accusation. We must approach our problems in a spirit of professionalism not partisanship. We owe it to ourselves, our forbears and all who shall follow us, to work together and make it work.

I run because it is my democratic right to do so. I run because, as a voter, I believe the other candidates do not represent bold, positive change. I run because I believe I have something new to offer: a university education; a national profile, a director's artistic eye; a producer's organisational skill; a marketer's media instinct. Over 12 years, I built Auckland Theare Company and Auckland Festival from less-than-zero to regional assets. I have over a decade's hands-on, frontline, practical experience working to make this City a richer, better place to live, I dealt constantly and tirelessly with local, regional and central government agencies to secure what I felt was important for my hometown. They know me in Wellington.

I stand for democracy. We must get our democratic house in order if we are to achieve our dreams. The new structure must serve Auckland and ALL Aucklanders. Crucially, local boards must be fully incorporated into the democratic process and decision-making must be informed by constant communication and referral to the people. There will be no sale of public assets. Council-controlled organisations shall remain in the Council's control. All elected officials shall remain the loyal servants of the people. Sir Dove Meyer-Robinson serves as my role model.

I stand for positive change. We must eliminate piecemeal 'back-of-a-napkin' planning. It has resulted in a vandalised cityscape and an absence of accountability on the most pressing economic and social issues of our time. As a people, we must have the courage, clarity and commitment to plan with care and act with confidence. Output and outcome.are different concepts.  Passion, though a prerequisite, is no replacement for actual, measurable, discernable progress.

I stand for creativity. I have over a decade's experience translating words into reality. On over 60 productions, I worked in collaboration with New Zealand's finest theatre professionals to deliver a world-class theatrical experience. In my business, action means action; a budget is a budget; a schedule is a schedule. I built the company and installed the structure necessary to achieve excellent results in an ongoing context. I set the tone, lead the 'corporate' culture and, in every circumstance, delivered the goods with distinction and to wide-acclaim. Where the rules hindered progress, I rewrote the rule book. As artists and audiences grew older, I opened the doors to the next generation. I can think of no greater privilege than serving the people of Auckland. I bring a considerable and unique creative history,skillset and experience to the table.

The Mayor is Auckland's ambassador: the face and voice of the City and all its citizens in the 21st century. Around the region, the country and the world, the Mayor must be capable of representing the city with grace, respect and style. He must capable of putting Auckland on the map. For all the right reasons. The Mayor is also Auckland's advocate. If Central Government policy on any issue does not work for 1/3 of New Zealand's population, it is a priority to alert the Government and to work in close partnership with Government to resolve the matter.

For more information, go to simonprast.com

Top 5 Issues

1. Leadership: full, fair and effective representation: local democracy
2. Economic Wellbeing: including employment and equal opportunity
3. Social Wellbeing: including housing, substance abuse
4. Transport
5. Urban Development and Design (including waterfront and heritage)

Personal Profile

Simon James Prast was born on 6 March 1962 at St Mary’s Hospital in Otahuhu, Auckland. He grew up in Portage Rd, Otahuhu; Franich St, Otara and Cape Horn Rd, Waikowhai. He has one brother Andrew, born 6 April 1964.

Simon’s late grandparents Valda Scott QSM and Fred and Mona Arnold played important roles in his upbringing. Fred, a WWI veteran and founding member of Otahuhu Rugby Club (his ashes are scattered over Eden Park’s most hallowed turf) taught Simon to swim at Swimarama in Panmure. Simon’s parents, Gail and Colin, were early members of the Auckland Hot Rod Club and he with his brother spent many weekends at Kopuku Raceway or the Riverhead Grass Track. Behind the wheel of her 1959 turquoise Chevrolet Impala, his mother gained some notoriety in the late 1960’s as ‘Drag-on Lady’. Simon shared his childhood with cats, Great Danes, Bouvier Des Flanders, goats and sheep and remains a keen supporter of animal rights. He currently shares his life with Paris and Hilton.

Simon was educated at Waikowhai Primary, Kings’ School and Auckland Grammar (AGS). He was a member of Kings’ First XV and represented AGS at athletic events throughout the region, specializing in 100m, 200m and the 4 x 100m relay. A prefect in his final year, Simon also won the school’s Drama Prize for his work on DEATH OF A SALESMAN, a play he would later direct for ATC. Simon’s long-suffering AGS Mathematics teacher Graham Henry and fellow Waikowhaian Russell Crowe both went on to great things

At Auckland University, Simon studied English, Psychology, Art History and Philosophy. In 1983, he graduated from the University of Auckland Law School (LLB).

The following year, Simon graduated from Theatre Corporate Drama School. He made his professional debut opposite Michael Hurst in Theatre Corporate’s 1985 production of TORCH SONG TRILOGY and has since enjoyed an extensive acting career on stage and screen.

Simon’s TV credits date back to the 1987 hit soap Gloss, in which he played rich boy Alistair Redfern. His TV resume also includes appearances in Shortland Street, Mortimer’s Patch, Erebus: the Aftermath, Mercy Peak, Give Us A Clue, Hercules, Xena: Warrior Princess, Letter to Blanchy, Serial Killers and Go Girls, currently in production.

In 1988, Simon joined TV star Jay La’ainga as co-host for the first-ever Coca Cola 24 hour Music Weekend. Later that year,  during Telethon, Prast performed alongside Eastenders star Leticia Dean, Dalvanius and the Patea Maori Club. In the same programme, he performed ‘I’m Glad I’m Not A Kennedy’ with Shona Laing

In 1998, on the TV arts programme Backchat hosted by Bill Ralston, Prast debated local body politician Craig Little for an increase in regional funding for the arts.  Shortly after the debate, $10million was set aside for the specific purpose of supporting arts events of regional significance to Auckland.

In 2009, Prast appeared as an arts commentator on TVNZ's Breakfast programme, sharply criticising Auckland City Council for underwriting an Australian Opera production of MY FAIR LADY, which lost $2million. He also appeared in a similar role on TVNZ's Media 7, advocating for a more equitable distribution of government arts funding. Simon has written arts pieces for NZ Herald ranging from NZ Idol advice to an Arthur Miller obituary. Simon’s obituary for his friend and fellow actor Kevin Smith was published in the NZ Listener.

Simon’s film credits include the ground-breaking aids-themed film A Death in the Family, The Sinking of the Rainbow Warrior opposite Jon Voight, When Love Comes, which premiered at the 1998 Toronto Film Festival, and the ‘indie’ thriller You Move, You Die.

Upon the demise of the Mercury Theatre in 1992, Simon founded the Auckland Theatre Company (ATC) and served as its first Artistic Director until February 2003. He produced and / or directed over sixty mainbill productions including The Graduate, Hair, Death of a Salesman, Haruru Mai, The Daylight Atheist (world premiere), Wit, Art, Closer, The Judas Kiss,The Songmaker’s Chair (world premiere) A Streetcar Named Desire, The Pillow Man and 12 Angry Men which was voted 'production of the decade' by ATC subscribers.  In 2002, Richard O’Brien returned to New Zealand to attend Simon’s production of The Rocky Horror Show. Richard enjoyed the show.

Whilst at ATC, Simon developed a regional subscriber network and extensive school matinee programme. With Oliver Driver, he initiated Second Unit, a platform and training ground for emerging talent on both sides of the curtain. Some actors who have appeared for ATC have gone on to successful international film and television careers including Taika Waititi, Craig Parker, Jay Ryan, Marton Csokas, Karl Urban, Lisa Chappell and Erik Thomson.

The British Council and Creative New Zealand both awarded Simon grants to attend international workshops in arts  marketing and management in London (1996) and Banff (2001).

Simon was the director of the inaugural Auckland Festival, AK03, later voted ‘Event of the Year’ in the 2003 Metro Readers poll. The same poll voted him ‘Auckland Man of the Year’, an acclaim he shared with then-mayor John Banks.

He is also one of “21 remarkable New Zealanders” featured in Michele Cox’s 2004 book GROWING TALL POPPIES: EXCELLENCE IN TOP NEW ZEALANDERS.