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Financial accountability, transport, rates and mangroves were among the key issues raised by local body candidates at a public meeting held in Orewa on August 26.
The meeting was hosted by Hibiscus Coast Greypower and around 80 elderly people gave six local board and five Albany Ward candidates a fair hearing.
There is a huge range of ages and experience among the candidates – the youngest two are aged 20 and the oldest are in their 70s.
New faces standing for the local board include 20-year-old Thomas Stiven, who wants to see local rates spent locally; John Stephenson who says he has come out of retirement to stand for the local board primarily because he is concerned about the effect of mangroves on local estuaries and Vicki Watson who has a background in corporate finance and a passion for the environment and green spaces.
Stillwater resident John Davies says he supports Penlink as well as improving local health services and chemical free weed control.
Rob Thompson, a former Rodney District Councillor said his return to local politics came about because he is angry enough about poor standards and accountability of the CCOs under the Super city.
Coast Candidates line up
The candidates for this year’s local body election have hit the campaign trail, with six people standing for the two positions of Albany Ward councillor and 11 contesting the four Hibiscus Coast subdivision positions on the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board.
There are 19 nominations for the role of Mayor of Auckland (two more than last election). Some are having a second go – Penny Bright, Tricia Cheel, Susanna Kruger, Phil O’Connor, John Palino and Wayne Young all contested the mayoralty last time around.
With the sole exception of current local board member Janet Fitzgerald, all contenders for the Hibiscus subdivision are newcomers.
Voting documents will be delivered to eligible voters from September 16 for the postal ballot, which closes at noon on October 8. The results will be available later that day, with the poll officially declared on October 13.
Look out for Hibiscus Matters’ lift-out election guide, next issue (out September 14).
The next opportunities to meet (and grill) the candidates are: September 4 Meet the Mayoral candidates, hosted by Orewa Ratepayers & Residents Association, Orewa Community Hall, 2pm. Meet and question the people wishing to become our next Mayor. All welcome. September 18 Meet council and local board candidates, hosted by Orewa Ratepayers & Residents Association, Orewa Community Hall, 2pm. Meet and question the candidates. All welcome.
