Turnout Critical

Turnout for local body elections across New Zealand continues to lag badly. In Auckland, as of yesterday just 28.8% of votes have been received, as compared to 37.1% at the comparable point in 2007.

City Vision candidates have been continuing to run a hard on the ground campaign to encourage people to vote, including strategic doorknocking and phone canvassing, visibility activities in key shopping areas and meetings with community groups.

This activity is critical because, as with the 2005 General Election, it will be turnout that determines the result of this election. While we have a Ward system in Auckland city, turnout across the city matters because, with the possible exception of C&R stronghold Eastern Bays, every single mainland ward is somehow in play:

• Hobson - a tight contest between the moderate action Hobson team and a hard right C&R ticket desperate to re-claim their perceived birthright to represent Hobson.
• Tamaki-Maungakiekie - Labour hold 3 Council positions, with Independent Bill Christian (who can swing either way) holding the fourth. Christian, representing a heartland Labour area could potentially support a Banks/C&R Council if re-elected.
• Western Bays - City Vision has a strong and high profile ticket with Lindsey Rea and Graham Easte, but turnout in this ward remains low. Progressive voters need to turnout to ensure Lindsey and Graham are elected.
• Eden-Albert - A strange contest. The strong incumbent City Vision team of Glenda Fryer, Neil Abel, and Cathy Casey should see off a divided right, but again progressive voters cannot rely on this - people must get out and vote.
• Avondale-Roskill - C&R are relying on a gain in this ward to win a majority on Council. The City Vision campaign has been organised and focussed on turning out the natural centre-left majority. Above all other wards, turnout is critical to the final result.

With a close result likely, a swing of one additional Councillor here or there is likely to have significant implications. The message is simple - Aucklanders can sit back and accept a hard right privatising, intolerant Banks/Hay led Council, or turn out to vote for a City Vision/Labour Council that protects our public assets and invests in Auckland.