Auckland mayoral hopeful arrested at Hawera's Hub

An Auckland mayoral candidate was arrested in Hawera while protesting at the Prime Minister's visit to the TSB Hub.

Police quietly arrested Erik Taylor during formalities at the TSB Hub's opening on Thursday after they were alerted to a warrant for his arrest for not appearing at the Hamilton District Court that morning.

Taylor describes himself as a 56-year-old Christian. He has worked as a teacher and in sales and says he's out to overthrow Auckland mayor John Banks.

Taylor has been campaigning around Taranaki over the last week with his branded van, "da boss for da mayor," and was seen grandstanding at Womad.

He had been into the Taranaki Newspapers Hawera office on Wednesday showing staff a flag he believed should replace the current national flag.

The flag had the addition of a silver fern. Taylor also sang an additional, unfamiliar verse of the national anthem to the reporter.

He appeared on Thursday afternoon at the Hawera District Court and was remanded to appear back in Hamilton on March 22, further charged with failing to answer police bail.

- © Fairfax NZ News