Roaming Dogs, Illegal Dumping, Housing Top Agenda At Manurewa Candidates’ Meeting

Wednesday, 3 September 2025, 3:17 pm
Article: Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter

Illegal dumping, roaming dogs, affordable housing, sports fields and investment in young people topped the agenda as 24 Manurewa candidates faced south Auckland voters on Tuesday night. 

The candidates - who include a sports broadcaster, former police officer, engineer, and a candidate who spoke of sleeping in a car while still in primary school - were vying for eight positions on the Manurewa local board and two council seats for Manurewa Papakura. 

They introduced themselves to the 50-strong audience and answered three questions, including what they thought were important issues facing the area. 

The line-up included current members of the Manurewa local board and a sitting councillor, and new candidates. 

Two candidates didn't turn up. The Meet the Candidates event was the first of a string of sessions that will be held across Tāmaki Makaurau in September. 

Local resident Mulipola Ausetalia Titimaea said it was a great opportunity to hear them speak. 

"The issues came up, and they did well to answer the questions we needed answered," Titimaea said.

"For me personally, it was good to see some Pacific candidates. There's actually a diverse range of candidates for Manurewa, which is important because we can't have equality if we don't have people from other cultures on the board as well." 

Leauanae Zeprina Fale said the session was a great initiative to allow residents to meet who they would be voting for. 

"We have their profiles online now but this is about reducing that distance between the voter and the candidates," Fale said. 

Resident Ryan Andrews said the sessions were important, especially for those that couldn't access online profiles. 

He praised organisers for putting together a good session. 

"It wasn't too long, they were strict with the timings for each candidate to speak, it was respectful and each made sure to do say as much as they could in the time they were given." 

The website policy.nz was re-launched this week to provide voters with information on local candidates and their policies. 

Local Government New Zealand says the website is designed to address falling voting numbers at local elections. 

Meet the Candidates 

Auckland: Whau - September 7 

Otara-Papaptoetoe - September 10 

Howick - September 12 

Māngere-Ōtāhuhu - September 16 

Hibiscus and Bays, Upper Harbour - September 18 

Henderson-Massey - September 23 

Waitakere Ranges - September 27 

Papakura - September 30 

-LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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