Sat 9 Oct 2010 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
12pm: John Banks or Len Brown - who will it be? As the preliminary votes from the national local body elections are about to roll in, there is hope a higher voter turnout will mean a forward-thinking and inclusive team is elected to run Auckland's mighty Super City. There has been a national surge in vote returns of between five and ten percent. The biggest leap has been in Auckland, where around 50 percent of people have voted – a 15 percent rise. Higher voter turnout is generally considered to be positive for the left. Former Auckland local body politician Lindsey Rea believes Aucklanders have been more interested in this election, due to the Super City changeover. "I think people, who felt they were denied a say in the Super City's formation, by not having any sort of referendum and very little say through the select committee process, have decided that they'll have a say at the ballot box." Rea, a City Vision stalwart, is hoping to see Len Brown elected mayor this afternoon. "As the gay community knows John Banks never has been our friend, despite what he attempts to say – generally in an election year but not at other times. And Len Brown comes from a good political background and I think he'll be a good mayor," she says. "I hope also there are enough people in council who are not part of the old 'crusty and rusty' C
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Saturday, 9th October 2010 - 12:03pm