Auckland’s mayor – John Banks

My faith, my health and my family are very important to me. I don’t carry grudges, and I don’t hate anyone. My life is about honesty and perseverance.When I was six, I was so hungry I used to steal the other kids’ lunches at primary school. If you’ve been through that experience, you’re pretty focused….I give my family two things – unconditional love and a world-class education. They know come hell or high water that their dad loves them and is there for them. That’s all they need. Let’s not make this complex. I am mindful that the number one problem facing this country today is the breakdown in the home and the family.

Most people don’t understand what struggle is. Struggle is when it’s difficult to go to sleep because you’re hungry. Struggle is when you wake up in the morning and you’re more hungry. At primary school, my teacher once asked me, “What are you going to be when you grow up, John?”. I said, “I’m not going to be hungry.”

…My faith has underpinned my life. I don’t wear it on my sleeve, because faith is a private thing. A Salvation Army officer was singly the most important person in my life, because when there was no hope, when we were living in a welfare home with no running water, and in a one-bedroom cowshed, he would pick us kids up and shuttle us 16 miles to Sunday school and back. He said, “I’m going to take you to meet Jesus.”

…Don’t force your views down the throats of other people. We should treat everyone with respect and dignity, value other human beings and do what is right.

NZ Herald