FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 14 2007

John Tamihere Elbows Out Local Candidates in Bid for Campaign Advertising Space

Waitakere People, candidates in the Waitakere City Council Elections today condemned the action by Suburban Newspapers in canceling their front page advertisement and giving the space to Mayoral hopeful John Tamihere.

Waitakere People had booked a front page advertisement in the Western Leader for October 5th only to be told that a decision by senior management had been made to sell their space to Mayoral hopeful John Tamihere. The October 5th slot is the only front page slot available before the local elections take place, Mr Tamihere having been beaten to the previous slots by Mayor Bob Harvey.

A spokesperson for Waitakere People said: "Clearly Mr Tamihere entered the Mayoral race late without giving much thought to his campaign strategy. Nevertheless he has the advantage of 15 hours a week of free air time in which to promote his campaign on Radio Live. On that basis we shall be approaching Mr Tamihere and requesting that he give us our slot back. We are sure that once Mr Tamihere realises the circumstances in which he obtained the space he will withdraw."

ENDS

Waitakere People are:

Ami Chand
Brian Lythe
Mary Lythe
Ann Pala
Kelly Schwalger
Susan Zhu

More information on Waitakere People can be found on their web site: www.waitakerepeople.org.nz