Candidates line-up for historic Auckland poll

The reorganisation of Auckland’s local governance structure, which started with the appointment of a Royal Commission in 2008, will culminate when voters go to the polls between September 17 and October 9.

In total, 542 candidates are contesting the 170 vacancies on the new Auckland supercity – 23 for mayor, 100 for council and 419 for the local boards. In Rodney, there are four candidates for the Rodney Ward and 21 for the Rodney Local Board.

Many of the candidates are well-known campaigners such as Rodney Mayor Penny Webster and Auckland Regional Council councillor Christine Rose. For others, such as Tom Ashton and Vince Pereira, this is their first foray into politics.

Only people correctly enrolled to vote will receive their voting papers in the mail and while registration on the electoral roll is required, voting in NZ is not compulsory.

Voter turnout in the 2007 local authority elections was 44 per cent, down from 46 per cent in 2004. This was the lowest turnout since the restructuring of local government in 1989.

By comparison, voter turnout in the 2008 general election was 76 per cent, a slight decline from 77 per cent in 2005.

Key dates

• 17 to 22 September: Voting papers delivered to those enrolled
• Midday Saturday, 9 October: Voting closes – voting papers must be with the Electoral Officer by midday.

Who is standing in Rodney

Mayor (23 candidates for one position)

• Aileen Austin (Independent)
• John Banks (Independent)
• Marlene Barr (Independent)
• Penny Bright • Len Brown (Independent)
• Hugh Chapman (Independent)
• Colin Craig (Independent)
• Nga Dave (Independent)
• Harry Fong (Independent)
• Shannon Gillies
• Vinnie Kahui
• Alan McCulloch (Independent)
• Steve McDonald (Independent)
• Willie Morton
• Vanessa Neeson (Independent)
• Phil O’Connor (Christians Against Abortion)
• Simon Prast (Independent)
• Raymond Presland
• Mark Ross (Independent)
• Annalucia Vermunt (Communist League)
• Andrew Williams (Independent Progressive Leadership)
• David Willmott
• Wayne Young

Rodney Ward (Four candidates for one position)

• Tom Ashton (Independent)
• Vince Pereira (Independent)
• Christine Rose (Independent)
• Penny Webster (Independent)

Rodney Local Board (21 candidates for nine positions)

Wellsford subdivision (One position on board)

• James Colville
• Greg Dempsey
• Stephanie Railey
• James Rolfe (Independent)
• Sally Usher

Warkworth subdivision (Three positions on board)

• Steven Garner
• Tracey Martin
• Larry Mitchell (Independent)
• June Turner (Action With Results)
• Jim Visser

Dairy Flat subdivision (One position on board)

• Alan Curtis
• John Mclean (Independent)
• Tim Murphy (North Now)

Kumeu subdivision (Five positions on board)

• Rick Croft (Independent)
• Sarah Ellis-Kirifi
• Warren Flaunty (Independent)
• Thomas Grace (Citizens & Ratepayers - South West Rodney)
• Bob Howard (Citizens & Ratepayers - South West Rodney)
• Brian Neeson (Independent)
• Phelan Pirrie (Independent)
• Brenda Steele

Health boards

Running concurrently with the local government election is the District Health Boards election. Elections for the Waitemata District Health Board will be required for seven positions, elected ‘at large’ from the board area which comprises part of the new Auckland Council area (the former areas of North Shore City, Waitakere City and Rodney District). In addition, following the election, the Minister of Health will appoint a further four members, making a total of 11 members per board. A total of 33 candidates have nominated for Waitemata, including seven incumbents.

Published September 2010