Auckland.Scoop report by Harry Pearl
Len Brown has made the 25-strong shortlist for the 2012 World Mayor Prize.

The City Mayors Foundation, a London-based think tank concerned with local government, released its shortlist last week – and Brown was one of only two mayors included from Australasia.

The Super City mayor, elected in 2010, joins leaders from as far afield as Tel Aviv, Bilbao, Lima and Baltimore.

According to the competition organisers, the prize – which has been given since 2004 – honours mayors with the vision, passion and skills to make their cities incredible places to live in, work in and visit.

Brown told Auckland Now that the nomination was “humbling” and gave Auckland another chance to promote itself internationally.

Voting for the prize, which is partially decided by the public, is underway and will finish in mid October.

The number of votes received, which naturally favours cities with larger populations, will be tempered by the strength and passion of supporting comments, says the competition website.

The winner will be announced in early December.