A contender for the Auckland mayoralty has set an ambitious target for boosting the region's economy.
The Auckland region contributes about a third of New Zealand's Gross Domestic Product and Len Brown wants to lift that to 50%.
Mr Brown says tourism and a major drive to host big events in Auckland would be key elements.
He says using public assets such as land and the transport network can also generate economic growth, citing a polytechnic being build above an underground railway station in Manukau.
Mr Brown says he would form a business advisory group to have a direct link into the work of the new Auckland Council.
