Auckland Local Body Politics

Two interesting HOS articles on local body politics in Auckland.

Jared Savage profiles the four candidates for Auckland City Mayor. It speculates a fifth candidate could join the field if there is no clear leader close to the close of nominations.

Matt McCarten looks at the whole region. Matt says Harvey will hold on to Waitakere now Tamihere is not standing. He also picks George Wood to see off Christine Rankin but speculates she may then be front runner for the 2010 election when Wood retires.

He thinks Len Brown in Manukau would beat Sir Barry Curtis, and picks Curtis to stand for Regional Council instead.

In Auckland he makes no prediction for the Mayoralty but labels the City Vision/Labour brand as a damaged one and suggests left wing candidates should not use it as he expects it to hinder not help candidates.