Auckland mayoral candidate Wayne Brown has called on rival Leo Molloy to withdraw from the race after a bizarre appearance on comedian Guy Williams' New Zealand Today show.
"The bizarre antics, short-temper, and foul-mouthed rants last night have eliminated any thought he was capable of being mayor," Brown said.
"The mayor of Auckland should be a serious, dignified role, that represents and leads our city on the national and global stage, and fixes difficult and complex problems - Mr Molloy is not fit for the job.”
During the interview, Molloy frequently referred to Williams as "woke", "a soft c*ck" and used the word "retard" on a number of occassions.
The interview culminated in a boxing match with Williams in which the pair donned giant gloves to smash each other about.
With former All Black Keven Mealamu in Molloy's corner and ex-rugby league star Monty Betham as the referee, Williams said he would endorse the restaurateur and bar owner if he lost - which he did.
"I'm a mayor for all the city," Molloy said. "I don't care if you're black, brown, white, yellow or otherwise."
"F*ck off, I'm talking. I've warned you," he also told Williams during the video.
Brown said behaviour like that, as well as his past record, suggested Molloy wasn't suitable to hold office.
"While the show is light-hearted, his abusive performance and now familiar recourse to wanting to 'give a hiding' when debate gets too much went well beyond an attempt at humour - to the point he needs to seek professional help."
"I have run many major organisations and the behaviour we saw on that programme would not be acceptable for the most junior Board or executive member."
Molloy's behaviour was the opposite of other candidates, like Efeso Collins and Viv Beck, Brown continued.
"[They] have acted with grace and decorum in the face of his insults and derogatory, puerile attacks on a daily basis.
"They have remained dignified and talked about the issues, rather than for example raising Mr Molloy's history of bankruptcy whenever he holds forth about his business track record."
"He has shown he isn’t capable of leading a multi-billion dollar organisation, with thousands of staff and serious issues to grapple with."
Molloy has rejected Brown's call, saying he has "no sense of humour" and didn't understand the show was satirical.
"The show was theatrical, I played up as instructed, all in good humour," Molloy said.
"Guy remains a friend and in fact visited our campaign HQ last week and I would highly recommend Wayne Brown stop focusing on comedy shows and start focusing on the issues that matter to Aucklanders."
Molloy said he was the best placed candidate to stop Labour-endorsed Collins from taking over from incumbent Phil Goff.
"My message to Aucklanders is simple: a vote for Wayne Brown or Viv Beck is a vote for Efeso Collins," Molloy concluded.
Williams has been contacted by Newshub for comment.
Watch the full New Zealand Today segment here.
