Auckland Mayoral Race Faces Low Engagement as Election Nears

Auckland’s mayoral election is approaching, but candidate Kerrin Leoni warns that many residents remain unaware of the impending vote. As the election date of October 11, 2023 draws near, Leoni, who is challenging incumbent Wayne Brown, has noticed a concerning lack of public engagement. “Some people don’t even know an election is on,” she stated, highlighting a significant gap in voter awareness.

Leoni’s campaign has faced multiple challenges, primarily due to Brown’s incumbency and substantial financial resources. Known for his alignment with the coalition government, Brown has opted for a quieter campaign style, perhaps confident in his previous victory where he secured 181,000 votes against his main opponent, Efeso Collins, who received 124,000 votes. In contrast, Leoni, a one-term councillor representing the left of the political spectrum, has struggled to gain traction.

Despite these obstacles, Leoni has persistently sought to connect with voters through community events such as church services, night markets, and local celebrations. She has introduced new policy proposals, including a commitment to maintain weekly rubbish collections and offering free public transport for students. These initiatives are in response to community feedback, particularly from the Indian community seeking better facilities for cricket.

The media coverage of this election has been notably sparse compared to previous mayoral races, which has further limited Leoni’s visibility. The absence of major news programs, such as those previously aired by Newshub, contributes to the perception that the election is not receiving the attention it deserves.

Both candidates participated in a televised debate on TVNZ’s Q&A program, but Leoni expressed frustration over the lack of substantive media coverage. She emphasized that this absence has deprived her of opportunities to challenge Brown directly, limiting her campaign’s effectiveness.

As of October 5, 2023, voter turnout stands at only 22 percent, with two days left for advance voting. In comparison, the turnout for the 2022 election was 35 percent, while the inaugural election in 2010 saw a remarkable 51 percent participation rate. With 1,195,533 registered voters in Auckland, only around 262,000 have cast their votes so far.

Brown, who is seeking another three-year term, aims to solidify his policies, especially regarding Auckland Transport. He has endorsed several council candidates under his “Fix Auckland” initiative, which may influence future council decisions. His relatively low-key campaign has been bolstered by the comfort of his previous electoral success and the lack of a formidable opponent this time around.

In a recent interview, Brown hinted at the possibility of stepping aside toward the end of this term to allow his deputy, Desley Simpson, to take over. He later clarified that his comments had been exaggerated and reiterated his commitment to complete his term.

Leoni seized the opportunity to criticize Brown’s commitment, questioning the leadership implications of such statements. She has focused her messaging on the themes of change and accountability, promoting her campaign as fresh and independent, despite her affiliation with the Labour Party.

As the election approaches, there is growing concern that low voter engagement might lead to a less representative leadership for Auckland. Leoni’s campaign efforts may need to overcome not only the challenges of her opponent’s incumbency but also the widespread apathy that seems to be plaguing this election cycle. With in-person voting concluding at midday on October 11, both candidates are now vying for every last vote to secure their position in Auckland’s future.