Voter turnout in local government elections has soared across the country since 2007, mainly because of the high profile "presidential" style fight for the Auckland supercity mayoralty, Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) says.But many campaigns
Voter turnout in local government elections has soared across the country since 2007, mainly because of the high profile "presidential" style fight for the Auckland supercity mayoralty, Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) says.
But many campaigns have been blighted by "nasty" personal attacks on candidates, particularly in Tauranga, Nelson, Masterton and Auckland, Chief Electoral Officer Warwick Lamp said.
Mr Lamp said there appeared to be more "American-style campaigning, where you attack the credibility of the other person".
Despite this, countrywide voter turnout has risen between 5 and 10 percent, with the biggest leap in Auckland, up 15 percent from past elections to almost 50 percent by today, surpassing Wellington which had just under 33 percent turnout by today.
"We suspect the reason is because of all the publicity associated with the Auckland mayoral race. When you think about it, the Auckland race is close to a kind of presidential election race and it's attracted that kind of media attention and our view is it's actually dragged interest right around the country in terms of what's happening in their own local places," LGNZ governance manager Mike Reid told NZPA.
Mr Reid said Auckland was the "star" of improving voter turnout compared to three years ago, when figures were low, and featured a more fierce battle than Wellington, where sitting mayor Kerry Prendergast was seen as a shoo-in with 33 percent support.
While Manakau's Len Brown is leading current mayor John Banks in Auckland, political blogger David Farrar told TVNZ today the final result depended heavily on how high turnout was from South Auckland, where Mr Brown was well ahead, to North Shore areas where Mr Banks led.
The winner will hold one of the most powerful positions in New Zealand as Auckland is unified into a single city.
In Christchurch, the battle between sitting mayor Bob Parker and MP Jim Anderton had also attracted high interest, with nearly 50 percent of eligible residents voting -- "the highest return I think they've ever had", said Mr Lamp, who runs elections for several councils and manages the Electionz website.
Former talk show host, Mr Parker has benefitted from the earthquake, after being seen out and about in the community, shattering a previously held image of the "Bob and Tony show" at the council -- referring to chief executive Tony Marryatt and perception of closed-door decision-making, Mr Reid said.
The Press has reported a "bounce effect" for Mr Parker, who has risen from 36 to 48.5 percent compared to Mr Anderton's 35.5 percent, since the quake.
"When there is a crisis you want to go with people who are already in charge, especially if that person is in your face all the time on TV. It is a sense of security and you go for who you know," Canterbury University lecturer Babak Bahador said.
In Dunedin, sitting mayor Peter Chin looks to be ousted by challenger Dave Cole, who is polling nine percent ahead after disquiet over stadium costs and debt levels.
Mr Farrar predicted on Breakfast TV the biggest upset was likely in Hamilton, after sitting mayor Bob Simcock dropped from 30 percent ahead to five percent behind challenger, lawyer Julie Hardaker.
He also predicated a "landslide" for sitting mayor Tim Shadbolt in Invercargill, who was polling 56 percent compared to initial favourite Suzanne Prentice's 12 percent.
This year's election has been characterised by enrolment scams in south Auckland, rocks through the window in Nelson and assault charges against Wellington mayoral candidate Bernard O'Shaughnessy.
Voting closes at midday tomorrow, and results should be on the Elections2010 website by 2pm tomorrow.
