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One strong suggestion is that Mr Banks could stand for the National Party next year in Epsom against Act leader Rodney Hide. Mr Banks barely conceals his contempt for Mr Hide. This is considered a real consideration.
Mr Banks spoke to reporters and a gathering of the right-leaning Auckland Citizens & Ratepayers at the weekend after being soundly thrashed by Len Brown in the mayoral election on Saturday.
But he has not disclosed what his plans are, saying only that he is not rushing into a new job after some hard years.
The campaign had been a "long, long road", he said, and his 33 years of public life had not been easy on his family.
His wife, Amanda, and his three children had shown "unrelenting" tolerance over the years, he said.
"It never is easy for the spouse and the kids of someone in public life."
He ended the news conference by listing all the political offices he had held - including time as an MP between 1981 and 1999 and a cabinet minister from 1990 to 1996 - saying his past public life had been a privilege.
"The last thing I need is a job. I've got plenty of work," he said. Mr Banks is a millionaire businessman.
Mr Banks noted that this mayoral campaign had been his third loss during his career.
"It's time for me to move on," he told the gathering.
