Joint Media Release – Thursday 8 July 2010

‘Next generation’ Mayoral candidates to meet in Auckland this week

In what could be a first for local government elections in New Zealand, the two independent candidates standing to be the next respective Mayors of Wellington and Auckland are meeting this week to “swap notes” on their common aspirations for the two cities.

New Auckland City entrant Simon Prast, and Wellington’s Jack Yan believe they offer their respective cities a genuine choice and opportunity to put aside ‘old politics’ for ‘new’.

“At 37, I’m one of the youngest candidates and, like Simon, I entered this race out of a deep conviction that it is time for the next generation of New Zealanders to stand up and be counted,” said Jack Yan, the leading independent candidate for the Wellington Mayoralty in the race against incumbent Kerry Prendergast.

“Like Jack, I have a strong background in the creative industry and the serious and vital business of that industry. We both understand how much New Zealand benefits from the creative energy of our cities and believe it is time for greater partnership and collaboration between Auckland and Wellington”, said Simon Prast, who is chasing both Len Brown and John Banks for the new job of Mayor of Auckland City.

Jack Yan: “Voters have been put off local body politics for too long by layer after layer of professional politicians who become defacto city officials - people who, not surprisingly, lose touch with the principle that people should be represented not governed or lorded over. That is a basic democratic principle that Simon and I share, and that we will putting forward to our respective constituencies through providing a fresh vision”.

Simon Prast: “It is a mark of our mutual strengths that we are meeting this week to share our views on why it is that local government has been such a handbrake on the excitement factor and economies of Auckland and Wellington. At one level, the choice for voters in October will be simple – do they want the ‘same old, same old’ or a breath of fresh air? Jack and I will be sharing similar messages – giving people back the respect, clarity and communication they deserve”.

ENDS

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