Stuff have confirmed that either Aucklanders don’t have a clue who the plethora of mayoral candidates are or if they do they have a choice between a Giant Douche or a Turd Sandwich. Auckland voters are between a rock and a hard place.
With the Auckland mayoral election fast approaching, the candidates have spent months campaigning across the city – aiming to push their policies and attract prospective voters.
Stuff spoke to 100 residents across Otara, Ponsonby, Titirangi and Takapuna to measure how well the nine candidates had done at familiarising themselves with the public [sic].
The experiment involved bringing a board with printed photos of each candidate and asking people on the streets whether they recognised them.
In south Auckland’s Otara, residents seemed pretty confident in identifying one candidate in particular – Manukau ward councillor Efeso Collins.
Out of 25 people approached, 11 identified the councillor.
Two people recognised New Conservative co-leader Ted Johnston, while another confused him for National Party leader Christopher Luxon. One person identified former Headquarters Bar owner Leo Molloy.
Molloy had more recognition in central Auckland’s Ponsonby, where 12 out of 25 people surveyed knew who he was.
Meanwhile, five people identified Heart of the City chief executive Viv Beck.
“Are they forming a political party?” one resident asked when shown the board of candidates.
Collins was recognised by seven people, while Wayne Brown, the chairperson of Auckland District Health Board, was recognised by three residents. Videographer Craig Lord also got a mention.
Of 25 residents approached in Titirangi, Molloy and Collins were both identified by five, while Brown was recognised by one – as was Lord. Johnston got three mentions.
One resident identified animal advocate Dr Michael Morris – because he used to work with him.
“I had no idea he was running,” the resident said.
Finally, in Takapuna, three candidates were recognised: Collins, Beck and Molloy. Eight people recognised Molloy, the most of the three, while Beck got four mentions and Collins got five.
Of all the candidates, Collins was the most recognised, with 28% of those approached being able to identify him.
Molloy was second-most recognised at 26% and Beck took the bronze, with a 9% recognition rate.
Johnston and Brown took fourth and fifth place with 6% and 5% respectively.
Stuff
A bunch of also rans and ne’er-do-wells is all that Auckland has to put up as candidates for mayor. It really is a choice between a Giant Douche or a Turd Sandwich. The only difficulty is deciding which is which.
Can’t hardly wait for the debates.
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