It's The Council That Counts

Action Hobson, the new political vehicle opposed to the planned Eastern Motorway and in favour of Rapid Transit Solutions for Auckland's gridlock, says the tight Mayoral race revealed by today's New Zealand Herald poll is good in terms of stimulating interest in the local body elections, but says it is the Council election that will determine the future of the city.

"Mayors are important because they symbolise a city and represent it to the rest of New Zealand and the world," Christine Caughey, an Action Hobson candidate for the Auckland City Council, said this morning. "But mayors do not have powers independent from their councils.

"Whomever the people of Auckland elect as Mayor, it is the Auckland City Council that will decide whether or not the planned Eastern Motorway goes ahead, and whether or not Auckland gets serious about investing in the Rapid Transit Solutions that all other major international cities take for granted.

"Action Hobson is unequivocally opposed to the Eastern Motorway and in favour of Rapid Transit Solutions for our city - modern rail, better buses, faster ferries, and all with integrated fares and timetabling."

Christine Caughey said that if people are opposed to the current administration and want to vote for Dick Hubbard, they may be disappointed if they also return a Citizens & Ratepayers Council which remained in favour of the destruction of Hobson Bay.

"John Banks can't build the Eastern Motorway with Action Hobson on the Council. Dick Hubbard would be forced to build it with Citizens & Ratepayers on the Council," she said.

Action Hobson is offering a full ticket in Hobson, contesting the ward's three Auckland City Council seats and the six seats on the Hobson Community Board. It has pledged to work constructively with whomever the people of Auckland elect as Mayor.

Today's New Zealand Herald poll suggests Dick Hubbard leads John Banks in the Mayoral race, by 32 to 27 percent. The poll suggests that other candidates are well behind.

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