Auckland Future says a candidate who was accidentally nominated to run against the group's only councillor has asked to be unaffiliated from the party on the candidate list.
Viliami Tiseli was intending to run for local board, but instead filled out a form to run in the Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Ward.
The National Party-aligned group had blamed council staff in Manukau who it said handed out the wrong forms.
Electoral officer Dale Ofsoske said the ward nomination was valid and must stand.
An Auckland Future spokesperson said although Mr Tiseli had to be on the ballot, he had requested his affiliation be dropped on the list to reduce confusion.
He said the group supported the move and the electoral office did have the discretion to remove the affiliation.
Mr Tiseli will not be campaigning.
