Vision for the future

The centre left's City Vision is hugely buoyant after its decisive win in the Mt Roskill Community Board by-election. City Vision candidate Corinne McLaren romped home with 4868 votes in the three-candidate race. Auckland Citizens and Ratepayers Now's (ACRN) candidate, Paul Forlong, polled second with 3005 votes, while Community Independent's Kevin McKay trailed with 2328 ballots.

There was a 31.6 per cent voter turn-out during the three-week poll, which closed on Saturday. The by-election followed the December resignation of Mt Roskill Community Board chairman Stephen Rosser, of ACRN, who emigrated to Queensland late last year.

It's a case of fourth time lucky for Mrs McLaren, who stood unsuccessfully for Auckland City Council in 1995, 1998 and 2001. Mrs McLaren says she "feels great" and pays tribute to her supporting family, friends and campaign workers. "This result illustrates there's a rejection of people with hidden agendas, and the vote is actually for people concentrating on community issues, as opposed to just the motorists."

The council's opposition leader Bruce Hucker says City Vision has "renewed enthusiasm" following the win in a traditional ACRN heartland. "It is a strong vote of confidence in City Vision and will certainly be built on," Dr Hucker says. City Vision's by-election success sends a message to Auckland Mayor John Banks, allied ACRN city councillors and Independents Bill Christian and Geoff Abbott, he says. It shows the present council's policies are not supported across the community. "The silent majority has spoken," Dr Hucker says. "Corinne McLaren is an excellent local candidate and will make a really significant contribution to the Mt Roskill Community Board."

It's the second by-election victory for City Vision this term, with Mike Lee winning an Auckland Regional Council by-election last year. The city's Independent mayor says he and ACRN members are determined to win the four Avondale/Roskill ward city council places in 2004. Mr Banks, who endorsed and campaigned for Mr Forlong, says he and ACRN will place more emphasis on winning at the council elections.
Mr Banks says the by-election result does not trigger alarm bells. "I have to say I'm disappointed, but not surprised. It's typical of a mid-term by-election, which tends to go against the incumbents." He also congratulates Mrs McLaren on her victory.

Posted Fri 18 Jul 2003