Franklin (Waiuku Subdivision): An Absolutely Biased Guide to Auckland Local Elections

Franklin (Waiuku subdivision)

I’m sorry. No muppets in this one. It’s duller than Waiuku.

Franklin Ward

RATINGS GUIDE:

$ to $$$$$ with $ being a leftist trougher and $$$$$ being small government dynamo

For some, however, a clown is more appropriate. More than one may be awarded.

As Vote Auckland.co.nz has started giving candidates the opportunity to add more information to their profiles online, I’ll be linking that information here also.

Incredibly, Bill Cashmore of Team Franklin can look forward to a third term, without going through an election campaign. This is the second consecutive Council election in which he has been re-elected unopposed.

While the media buzz is always about falling voter turnout, the turnout of people standing for council is also falling. Just 54 candidates have put their hands up for the 20 Council positions this time around, down from 74 in 2016.

Perhaps it is actually a blessing.

So, I will cover the 3 Franklin Local Board subdivisions, before moving on to Howick ward.

Franklin Local Board (Waiuku subdivision)

Sharlene Druyven – Team Franklin $$$$

Druyven is the only incumbent standing for re-election to the 2 seat subdivision and is something of a country town matriarch, which may explain the lack of a sense of humour. I’m probably going to get a crabby phone call for this…

It seems Sharlene has always worked very hard for this community. Head of the Waiuku Business Association which she runs on a shoestring, as well as being on the Franklin Local Board.

Over the years, Druyven can be seen advocating for a range of services for Waiuku whether they be a swimming pool, funding new playgrounds and mucking in with dedicated local volunteers to just get whatever job it is, done.

Gareth Manning – Team Franklin $$$$

Manning is a lifelong local after migrating from Pukekohe to Waiuku 24 years ago. He has a business and management background working at Bluescope Steel in Glenbrook. Outside interests include coaching rugby and Waakama which appears to be some form of human propelled flotation device.

Matthew Murphy – Waiuku First $$$

Murphy’s biggest gripe with the current Local Board is that most of their funding is spent east of the motorway. He wants more money back on his side to help the community grow. I was unaware that local board funding is a factor for people choosing to move to the middle of nowhere but I’m a millennial jaffa so what the fuck would I know.

Murphy would also use that funding to create more spaces for youth. It’s the middle of nowhere but the youth are short on space.

In fairness, Matthew seems like a smart bloke with business experience as well as volunteering on the R&R association and more. I’m kinda clutching at straws to take the piss out of any of these candidates.

Terry Quilty – Team Waiuku $$$

There is only one Team Waiuku candidate. Did Terry and Matthew have some sort of tiff?

There was no Team Waiuku in 2016 so I suspect Quilty may have set out with big ambitions that weren’t quite realised.

Terry’s lived in Waiuku for 40 years. Long enough for him to know everyone who lives there yet, still a one man team…

His background is actually pretty impressive, so have a look for yourself.

You have up to 2 votes in this FPP contest.

MY RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Sharlene Druyven – Team Franklin
• Gareth Manning – Team Franklin