Ethnic groups mobilise to vote | Auckland News | Local News in Auckland

A powerful community group is demanding answers from candidates for the new Auckland Council. Edward Rooney reports.

A voting bloc credited with sweeping Helen Clark to power in 1999 is hosting a forum to hear candidates for the new Auckland Council.

After reclaiming the Mt Albert electorate with more than 64 per cent of the vote 11 years ago, Miss Clark made specific reference to the ethnic communities who had supported her campaign and turned out to vote.

This powerful sector, led by the Auckland Regional Ethnic Council, will rally for a five and a half hour forum later this month to hear candidates standing for mayor, councillors and local boards.

Acting president Cecil Lochan says it is a chance for the candidates to present their policies as they relate to the concerns, needs and aspirations of the ethnic population in the greater Auckland area.

He notes the audience will be made up of people with a proven record of mobilising and voting.

"The minority ethnic population was estimated at 18.9 per cent of the population in 2006, we estimate it must be bordering on 25 per cent now," he says.

Mr Lochan says speaking times will be allocated for one representative from each party to present their collective policies and views.

Ample time will then be given to the audience / participants to ask questions after each speaker has spoken.

"This is not an occasion where they can just come and speak and then go away. A similar amount of time to their speeches will be given to questions from the floor."

Mr Lochan says there is some disappointment among the ethnic community about the way the new Auckland Council has been set up.

"Many wanted there to be an ethnic affairs committee of the new council," he says.

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Governance of Auckland recommended the Auckland Council should appoint an ethnic advisory panel, as well as one for Pacific people.

It has been decided the new Auckland Mayor will establish and appoint members to a Pacific People's Advisory Panel and Ethnic People's Advisory Panel by March next year.

The panels will identify and communicate to the council the interests and preferences of their respective people regarding council's strategies, policies, plans and bylaws, and on any other matters the panels consider to be of interest to their respective people.

The panels will also advise the council on the most appropriate ways to engage with Pacific and ethnic people.

"This is a crucial time for our area," Mr Lochan says. "And the forum on September 26 will be looking for answers on the way forward for many people."

Mr Lochan says a similar forum was arranged prior to the General Election in 1999 and a number of notable results ensued.

"One was the establishment of the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and the other was the resounding result for Helen Clark."

Mr Lochan points out that the National Party leader at that time was Jenny Shipley, who did not attend the ethnic forum, instead sending a junior MP on her behalf.

"Members of Auckland's minority ethnic population should be in a position to cast an informed vote to the candidate who will adequately address their needs and aspirations," Mr Lochan says.

"Minority ethnic population or new immigrants form a fairly large percentage of Auckland and contribute significantly in all spheres, as well as to the economy of this city."

Mr Lochan says all major candidates and tickets have confirmed they will atend the forum - with one notable exception.

"John Banks has been very supportive of our cause but his people have told us he has a prior commitment."

Forum details

Venue: Mahatma Gandhi Centre, 145 New North Rd, Eden Terrace
Date: September 26, 2010
Time: 1pm to 6.30pm
Who: All citizens of Auckland are welcome.