COMMUNITY VOICES: The North's unsure | Auckland Opinion | Local Voices from Auckland, New Zealand

Dissatisfaction over the new regional authority system appears to be rising in the North.

From Sunnynook, Katie George has become better informed about October's elections through a letter about her enrolment status which arrived with a brochure carrying more details.

"Even though I haven't seen as much information in the media as I thought I would have, it's becoming more of a topic of conversation with family and friends as the time draws closer. It's obviously on people's minds now."

The 25-year-old jewellery buyer says the main concern, from conversations with friends and family, is of the council having a new business structure with fewer direct employees.

"Are our smaller local matters going to be processed in the same time frame and with the same attention as they are currently in the local councils?

"Even something so small as registering a dog or inorganic collection dates - are these smaller issues going to take a back seat because there will not be the people power there is currently in the local councils?

"At this stage, I am leaning towards one individual to be the first super-city mayor. No doubt, with a new council structure, there will be some teething problems to begin with, so I think it's important we have a strong and confident leader to get through the initial 'glitches'."

Visionaries are desperately needed, says Bayswater grandmother Paddy Stafford-Bush. "We need someone to go beyond warm, fuzzy platitudes to outline a big-picture vision.

"There are some interesting ideas coming forward, such as the issuing of bonds to get things done for communities. I've been involved with bond issues in sporting administration and they worked  well - as long as it is targeted to [those] who can really bring a community together.

Ms Stafford-Bush says policies are coming in "in dribs and drabs". But when she recalls the previous council amalgamations in 1989, parts of the new cities did well while others were left behind. "I'm looking for someone to tell me how it's all going to work together. At the moment, there are still some unanswered questions, particularly around the local boards."

From Orewa, Merv Huxford says people around him want to know more about what candidates are standing for. "Others I have spoken to say they are disinterested because the super-city was a fait accompli. Some concede that 'cross-border' decision-making will now be quicker and more sensible, but are not convinced that this will be reflected in the overall cost savings that one might expect."

A professional trustee, he says there's lively debate about whether it will be more important to have "parochial representation" instead of representation that benefits the entire region.

"I did a 'McDonald's Survey' when I was in there last Saturday morning, and of the nine people spoken to none had any special comment to make on super-city issues.

"All seemed somewhat neutral or disinterested, although one did suggest that the best candidate for mayor would be Don McKinnon, if he would stand."

Mr Huxford is interested that a Rodney District Council survey found less than 50 per cent were in favour of the reorganisation, but the result does not seem to have stirred up much reaction anywhere.

"Could be a bit of a feeling that it's all a foregone conclusion," he says. "It seems very few people are aware of anything significant that will actually change. Maybe this explains the indifference."

Barbara Cuthbert, a former Devonport Community Board chair and cycling activist, says opening nominations for candidates last week coincided with a visit from the mayor of Aussie uber-city, Brisbane.

Investing in good public consultation is basic to his operation. "He has a clear vision and economic plan to tackle traffic congestion, which includes spending $100 million a year on new cycleways and a massive increase in bus patronage."

Ms Cuthbert says she wants to hear candidates supporting a strong role for the local boards, backed by local staff and budgets.

"I also hope candidates will tell us how local interests will be promoted, while setting in place new regionwide systems that will deliver long-term benefits for our new city. It's a tall order, but I'm excited that we're underway."

Mairangi Bay resident Grant Harris describes what he sees happening in the lead-up to the elections as "a little messy, with little substance. While there are six people who have declared themselves in the running for the mayoralty, in my opinion there are only two who are serious, well-known contenders; the rest will simply split the vote.

"Several other well-known people have raised their hands for appointment to council and local board seats.

"However, apart from their normally 'larger than life' personalities, I haven't noticed too much strength in their election 'campaigns', i.e., what sets them apart from the others."

He feels there is much uncertainty about process. "I sense that the amalgamation of so many departments with their own systems and even their own philosophies, is going to be painful."

Birkenhead's Christo Peters considers there are only two real candidates for the mayoralty. "Banks is a polarising personality whose public persona seems to be 'my way or the highway'. Brown, on the other hand, has politically put his foot in it with expenses but seems to have been extremely well received by his current constituents."

He says it's hard to fathom why North Shore Mayor Andrew William has bothered to stand for the mayoralty. "The fact that he would stand suggests he is living in his own world."

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.