Press Statement from Hamish Stevens, Chairman Peoples Choice

Peoples Choice win in Papatoetoe

Peoples Choice candidate Toa Greening has won the Papatoetoe Community Board by-election. Toa won with a majority of over 500 votes ahead of the next highest polling candidate. Peoples Choice Chairman Hamish Stevens said he was sure that Toa will be a great Community Board member and will be an effective voice for the community he represents.

Mr Stevens said that Toa won ahead of two very good candidates and the victory shows a strong level of support for Peoples Choice’s common sense community based policies. “People are clearly looking for a change”

Aged 34, Toa is a computer engineer who has been active in local Neighbourhood Watch and Crime Patrol groups. He campaigned for stronger local action to reduce crime in Manukau, and more say in local decision making by Community Boards.

Peoples Choice is a Manukau City based ticket that fielded 33 candidates in the 2004 local body election, winning 11 Council, Community Board, and District Heath Board positions. Its objective is to win a majority of the Manukau City Council in 2007.

“This win shows that Peoples Choice is not just an eastern ward group but that our policies are seen to be relevant right across Manukau city”

Mr Stevens said that Mr Greening’s win is two in a row for Peoples Choice, following Trevor Armstrong’s convincing win in Botany last October. “Momentum is growing for Peoples Choice policies, and we are well on track to fielding a full slate of candidates in the 2007 local body elections.”

ENDS

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