Listen Now: 
February 15, 2022
Turnout key to Collins’ mayoral chances
Peter Verschaffelt
Posted On February 15, 2022
Download AudioAuckland councillor Fa’anana Efeso Collins says increasing the vote from Māori and Pasifika will be key to him becoming mayor of the super city.
The Manukau ward councillor is the first Labour-affiliated person to put his hand up for Aotearoa’s second biggest elected position now Phil Goff has confirmed he won’t seek a third term.
Another prominent councillor, Richard Hills, has announced he won’t stand because of family reasons,
Mr Collins says while he is getting a lot of encouragement from Māori and Pacific people, the challenge is getting those communities to post in their votes.
“Only one in three eligible voters are voting, and if you look at the data, those people who tend to own their houses, have lived in their houses, are a bit more stable with their housing, they’re the ones that tend to vote, and those who are often in rental accommodation, and moving around a lot which is Māori and Pacific families, a lot of families in south and west Auckland, they tend to have a lower voter turnout,” he says.
Mr Collins promises a new style of inclusive leadership, and he will also push for free public transport, as more than a quarter of the budget for many Auckland families now goes on the cost of getting to work or school.
RELATED NEWS
