Stephen Berry, one of the early candidates for the Auckland mayoralty, has withdrawn and says he'll back restaurateur John Palino.
Mr Berry said he announced his candidacy when he saw no other suitable contestant, but believed Mr Palino's policy to cut rates was a good policy.
Mr Palino was a distant runner-up to Len Brown in 2013, and Mr Berry finished third.
Mr Palino is one of three centre-right candidates declared so far for the October election.
