C&R And Auckland Now Unite To Contest Auckland City Elections

Auckland Citizen and Ratepayers Association and Auckland Now have formed a joint venture to contest the next Local Authority elections in Auckland City, including the ARC and the Area Health Board. The joint venture will promote candidates who will stand for the ticket ¡§Auckland Citizens and Ratepayers Now¡¨. Neither group will stand candidates against the joint venture.

A combined Executive will be formed consisting of 8 C&R and 7 Auckland Now representatives and this body will have ultimate responsibility for the campaign. A C&R representative will chair the Executive and Auckland Now will supply the Deputy Chairman.

Specific policies will be determined by the new executive but both organisations are comfortable with the general objectives, which were agreed upon to make the joint venture possible.

Auckland Citizens and Ratepayers Now believes councillors should be policy makers not ¡§full time ¡§ councillors and the joint venture is committed to there being fewer council meetings opening the way for quality candidates to consider selection.

Other key policy platforms include:

„h Greater efficiency of operation from local authorities
„h The decentralisation of Government so that the local community has more input.
„h The protection of private property rights.
„h Stopping the City providing services in competition with the Private Sector.
„h Supporting the family and its activities.
„h Forcing the Council to concentrate on its core activities.
„h Improved but co-ordinated transport systems and supporting the ongoing development of the inner city

Mr John Collinge, President of C&R, said the combined ticket would be apolitical and would open the way for a direct contest between quality candidates standing for the interests of Auckland City and the Labour/Alliance dominated City Vision.
Mr Earl White, Chairman of Auckland Now said it is vital Auckland City moves forward with a sensible clear direction, rather than continuing to drift as at present. The joint venture would help achieve this goal.

Both agreed that due to the closeness of the objectives of C&R and Auckland Now and the relationship of mutual trust and confidence that was built up during negotiations, the joint venture will lead to stronger candidates and by not splitting the vote, enhanced electoral prospects ultimately leading to better governance for all Aucklanders.

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