[2] Brunt became politically active and formed the environmentalist Values Party in the early 1970s and served as its inaugural leader.
He founded the party to serve as a response to the "barren and miniaturist" political culture that existed in New Zealand at the time.
Brunt's candidacy for the mayoralty was viewed as having drawn away many left-wing voters from the Labour Party.
Labour mayor Frank Kitts lost office in a very close race and blamed the Values vote for his defeat.
[7] Brunt opposed extending the Wellington Urban Motorway to the foot of Mount Victoria.