Auckland businessman Leo Molloy has spoken to media after pulling out of the Auckland mayoralty race - polls had suggested he would not win the election.
Watch here (warning - contains strong language):
Speaking this afternoon, Molloy said he would consider running again in 2025.
Auckland's most outspoken mayoral candidate said he had no skeletons in his closet and pulled out of the race due to low polls.
But he also said that cash was also a factor after he had spent "a lot" of money.
Molloy said in the interim he will be returning to hospitality.
He said he was worried that if he did not pull out of the mayoral race then he may be orchestrating a result for the left.
"We had a stare-down from the centre-right candidates that ended up being a wee bit like Princess Diana's marriage - it was a bit crowded at times. I decided that I was the person who having tried to stare them all down, I'd step away, to leave another candidate to hopefully prevail and do right by the city."
Molloy did not endorse another candidate but said he may do so once he had scrutinised their policies in more detail.