Are the mayors going to exchange blows?

The Auckland Super City mayoral race is getting tetchy with Auckland City Mayor John Banks and North Shore Mayor Andrew Williams accusing each other of personal attacks after they reportedly almost came to blows at a candidates meeting.

Another contender for the mayoralty, Simon Prast, has told the New Zealand Herald he saw Williams leap from his seat and come within millimetres of Banks at a candidates meeting in a Castor Bay church hall on the North Shore on Wednesday night.

Banks has said Williams' behaviour has been unacceptable at joint candidate meetings.

"I am happy to engage in vigourous and robust debate on the issues affecting Auckland. However Mr Williams has been more interested in aggressive personal attacks," said Banks.

Williams said Banks clearly feels threatened when issues concerning Aucklanders are openly and forthrightly discussed, such as bus lanes and water pricing.

"At no time in any of the meetings have I made any personal attacks on him or any other candidates.

"By contrast John Banks last weekend embarked on what is becoming a concerted series of personal attacks on me verging on defamation.

"It appears his transmogrification to the new nicer John Banks is over as he begins to feel the pressure of his chances in the mayoral campaign. It is very apparent that the old Banks is back."

Williams said those attending recent meetings have noted that Banks is now being joined by a group of party supporters who are actively disrupting the meetings for all candidates.

"They are constantly interjecting and haranguing many of the candidates but in particular (Manukau Mayor) Len Brown and myself, using insulting and demeaning personal attacks.

"We saw it at the Auckland Museum debate on Tuesday night and again the following night at the Castor Bay meeting."

By contrast, Williams said, the other candidates do not operate in this fashion and their supporters have all been respectful towards the meeting and candidates.

"It is also disturbing that these same people who are causing this disruption are linked live during the meetings to politically aligned blogsites," he said.

"They want to create disharmony both at the meetings and via the internet. This is dirty politics we are seeing coming from that quarter."