COMMUNITY VOICES: Sound but no picture | Auckland Opinion | Local Voices from Auckland, New Zealand

Our Auckland City panellists feel there's a lack of vision from those standing in October's elections. They also say there's not enough substantial and useful information for voters.

John Eady, of Grey Lynn, feels candidates have not articulated exactly what their visions and main policies are for Auckland. "I had a pretty good skim of the papers and there is nothing in-depth telling us what they intend to bring to the table. We are not adequately informed to make an opinion and it is hard to decide who I am going to vote for."

The city businessman does not believe it is up to the public to articulate the issues; it's for the candidates to lay out their vision and how they will achieve it. He is concerned by a lack of substance. "Are we left to judge by who is offering the perfect picture?"

From One Tree Hill, league ref Wayne Urquhart sees no visionary difference between the two leading contenders. "I've been watching them put their pegs in the ground. They're copying each other. They were talking about making Auckland a child-friendly place. I don't know who said it first but they both said the same things. I have seen no vision which says, 'Wow, if that man can do that, I will vote for him tomorrow'."

He says North Shore Mayor Andrew Williams adds no quality to the candidates on show.

Olinda Woodroffe believes transparency, balance and integrity should be the guiding principles of the mayor, councillors and local board members.

"What all mayoral contenders must keep in mind is their rights and duties to the public of Auckland, who are the financial contributors to transport and all other services. Transparency is what I want spelt out. For example, if all contenders agree that local boards are the hearts of democracy, how will they ensure the best use of these boards? I would like to see a mayor who focuses on the issues that need to be resolved and who can make informed decisions for the common good of Auckland," the lawyer says.

She does not want to see a council or local boards composed predominantly of businesspeople from middle-class areas. "There is a need for balance. All Aucklanders, irrespective of where we come from, have a collective responsibility to one another. The aim is to have a city where we feel at home."

The thoughts and contributions of  youth and elderly  must be considered.

Auckland Grey Power's newsletter editor, Margaret Bijl, doubts the elderly - or any other voters, for that matter - are getting enough information. "I got my enrolment details and, with that, some information about the structure of the new city, but it's rather minimal and hard to interpret."

She's aware of the mayoral candidates, but has not heard much from some of them.
She also points out that older people without computers or knowledge of the internet may have trouble staying informed. "People seem to depend on websites to get their information out but, for older people, that's very unsatisfactory. When and where we will get information from I don't know. John Key did say he hoped people would vote in local body elections. I think the turnout for voting is so poor because people hear so little information about who these people are and what they stand for. I have not really seen much published about the candidates anywhere."

Regional Migrant Services executive director Mary Dawson is concerned candidates are not properly considering our multicultural population.

"We need leaders who are well informed about our multicultural realities, keenly interested in how to capitalise on the city's ethnic diversity, while alert to any related challenges for the city's progress. I've seen few, if any, comments coming from any of our mayoral or local board candidates recognising the unique population characteristics of Auckland and their positive ideas and strategies to make Auckland a welcoming city.

"I would like to see mayoral and local board candidates share their ideas and strategies about how to capitalise on Auckland's multicultural assets, perhaps through a public forum."

Dr Dawson says clear information needs to be readily available in a range of languages about why we are having elections, what we are voting for and how the process will work. "It is crucial that all Aucklanders, whatever their ethnic background, are informed and encouraged to vote."

Parnell resident Gregory Shanahan believes the public is struggling to come to terms with what is about to happen. "In this vacuum of confusion there is no clear picture of the leadership required for the future of the super-city.

"Hopefully, as the campaigns of the various candidates progress, these confluences will come together and we will have a public with a better understanding of the issues, the desired outcomes and who has the best leadership skills to achieve them," says the barrister.

"Having said this, the responsibility is on the mayoral candidates to crystallise the issues for the public and demonstrate how they can and will lead.

"The new structure must be able to listen to the local voice and respond to the local needs of the communities or villages that will make up the new Auckland City. Acknowledging this responsibility and getting the balance right will be critical to the city's success. Auckland is rich with communities and social and ethnic groups. The new leadership and the underlying structure will need to embrace and include these communities in the development of Auckland City."

It's vital whoever takes charge ensures money is accounted for in a transparent, responsible manner, he adds.

What is this project about? October's local body elections represent a historic moment for our region: for the first time, voters from Te Arai Pt to Pukekohe, Piha to Pohutukawa Coast will elect one mayor and council. They will also choose members of 21 local boards.

Each of our four editions - North, West, Central and South - has mustered a panel of local identities to observe and comment on the campaign. This is the second in the series.