Just vote – Auckland Council version

• mickysavage
• 8 years ago
• Categories: auckland supercity, C&R, democratic participation, greens, labour, local body elections, local government, national, phil goff, supercity
• Tags: city vision

Local Government ballot papers are being delivered right now.

If we follow what happened last time not enough people will vote. Last time in Auckland the turnout was about 35%, one in three of us.

I can understand the reasons. Life is so busy and between work and family there is so much to do.

And the local government elections are so complex. There are so many positions to be filled and so many bodies to consider. Between the Mayoral race, Council and Local Board or Community Board, Health Board and in some lucky areas licensing trusts there are a lot of decisions to make.

And the brands are so confusing. Labour and the Greens are the only parties that run clearly designated candidates in some areas but in other areas there are local coalitions. In Auckland for instance progressives worked out years ago that we are better and stronger together.

But there is so much at stake.  Our environment, our communities, our neighbourhoods, our city, good leadership can improve them dramatically and bad leadership can wreck them.

On the right there is usually an attempt to hide the brand and then talk about how we should keep politics out of local government.  Strange really as local government is absolutely rife with the worst sort of politics you can imagine.  But at least this year the pretense has dropped somewhat with Auckland Future aka National making a splash although its failure to reach an accord with the other National in drag organisation C&R will mean the right will not do as well as they may have hoped.

But if you need help with how to vote here is the simple easy way for all progressives to vote.

1. For Mayor vote Phil Goff.  If for any reason you wish not to then Chloe Swarbrick presents a young principled alternative and the ever present Penny Bright is still campaigning the good campaign.
2. In Albany ward Wayne Walker and John Watson are both progressive but are under challenge by Auckland Future.  They could represent the balance of power on the new Council.
3. In Albert Eden it is really important to return the indominable Cathy Casey and getting Peter Haynes elected would be a real bonus.  Vote both of them.
4. In Howick the unmissable Tofik Mamedov deserves a vote as does Gyanadra Kumar.  They are both standing under a Labour banner in a very National area.  All strength to them.
5. Manukau is easy, vote Alf Filipaina and Efeso Collins both Labour.  Both should be elected.
6. In Manurewa-Papakura I would suggest sticking with John Walker and Callum Penrose both independents.  The third candidate Daniel Newman is ex Labour but has gone over to the dark side big time.
7. In Maungakiekie vote Patrick Cummuskey – Labour.
8. In North Shore stick with Chris Darby but also vote Richard Hills, a young energetic campaigner who could surprise and would be a really good addition to Council.
9. In Orakei – Richard Leckinger is a Green and would get my vote if I lived there.
10. Rodney I have no suggestions …
11. Waitakere – yours truly is standing under a Labour banner.  Penny Hulse has voted the right way on many important issues and the rest are various shades of right.
12. Waitemata and Gulf – vote Mike Lee please.  He is a good old fashioned lefty.
13. In Whau – vote Ross Clow Labour.  He is one of the more organised and thoughtful councillors.

For local boards vote Labour or Green, City Vision in the isthmus, Roskill Community Voice led by the amazing Julie Fairley in Puketapapa, Future West in Waitakere, Mike Cohen in Devonport, Kaipatiki Voice in Kaipatiki

Under no circumstances vote for anyone with Penlink in their description, especially if they are standing in Hibiscus.

And for the Health Boards vote Labour or City Vision or Sandra Coney in Waitemata.

I may have missed other progressive candidates.  It would be good if others who were aware of what was happening in other areas could submit comments or posts.

Disclaimer:  I am a member of Future West and the Labour candidate for the Waitakere Ward of Council.