The 2022 local elections are coming up soon, which means it’s time to vote for a new mayor for Auckland.
Following a newsworthy egging at a candidate debate at Auckland Uuni, and numerous other debates that were somewhat less eventful, Craccum asked students if they will be voting, and what local issues they actually care about.
Are you planning to vote in the mayoral election?
Ewan, Statistics
“I’m planning to vote in the election but I’m not particularly informed about it. I don’t know who I’ll vote for. I was planning on figuring that out a couple days before by doing some Googling.”
Caleb, Engineering
“No. I don’t believe in making uninformed votes and I am not confident on my level in understanding regarding local politics.”
Amelia, Law
“I’m definitely voting this time around. I actually wasn’t planning to before, but I recently learned how low the youth engagement is with voting, which is really concerning. The policies that these people create majorly affect the youth.”
Penny*, Arts and Commerce
“I feel obligated to vote because my Dad used to be in politics and he’s backing a candidate in my electorate. I was taught that big change starts locally, but I have no clue who to vote for because my values don’t match up with the candidates my family supports.”
Caden, Politics
“I’m unable to vote as I’m an international student. If I could vote I would. It would be interesting to vote outside of the U.S. for someone who I actually place my trust in to do the best job.”
Olivia, Law and Arts
“I do a Ppolitics degree and it would be a disgrace if I didn’t. Also turnout is so low, especially for younger voters.”
What local issues are most important to you?
Ewan, Statistics
“I’d like to see more pedestrianisation, I think it’s a great idea. I think that Auckland should be a nice walkable city—cheaper public transport as well. Basically just making it easier for people to get around and having less cars absolutely everywhere plus all the noise. Definitely climate action too, but I think that part of climate action is just pedestrianising.”
Caleb, Engineering
“The roads need maintenance and the road network needs redesigning (Karaka specific but also Auckland in general). Hingaia Road at the Oakland Road turnoff needs extra lanes due to ACG Strathallan.”
Amelia, Law
I think the biggest policy issue for me will always be to do with climate change. I know we can’t completely fix the issue of climate change and its implications at a local level but I’m sure there are things we can do to help reduce our carbon emissions on a local scale, even if it is just providing education about it or making information about it more accessible. I’ve also heard that one of the candidates is pushing for a fees free public transport policy and I think that’s so good from a student’s perspective.”
Penny*, Arts and Commerce
“I want to back someone who has empathy for inner-city homelessness and the small family businesses in the CBD who got their livelihoods crushed by ongoing construction blocking their premises from the public. But it’s hard to know who is actually going to try to make a difference.”
Caden, Politics
“I’d personally like to see more light-rail that is focused on moving people around the urban core and its surrounding neighbourhoods. It would also be great to see candidates divorce the second Hharbour Bbridge from the desire to build a rail line across the harbour and into the North Sshore, they do not necessarily have to be a package deal. Transit is the best way to reduce traffic. I’m not sure if this is possible within New Zealand’s legal system but letting non-citizens of New Zealand but residents of Auckland vote in elections like in New York City would be cool.”
Olivia, Law and Arts
“In Auckland city especially the homelessness problem but to be honest I don’t know much about it at the moment. Public transport is lacking, fees are too high without the half price, and overall it’s just not great—a lot are being cancelled etc. And firefighters being underpaid, which the government doesn’t really seem to be addressing.”
*Name changed at student’s request.
