Media release: Auckland elections offer a stark choice: positive policy or a failure to plan
7 October 2025
Auckland elections offer a stark choice: positive policy or a failure to plan
As the Auckland Council elections enter the final few days, voters face a choice between City Vision’s positive, policy-forward vision for a thriving, inclusive and liveable Auckland, and a fear-mongering campaign from the National Party-aligned C&R dictated by the coalition government’s agenda to slash local government services.
“Bringing the Central Library to Aotea Square is just one of many things the Council can do to enhance the central city, and I’m ready to bring bold new thinking to the Council table. Putting more cars in the city centre, as C&R-endorsed Mike Lee wants, will only make congestion, noise and air quality worse, driving people and business away,” says Patrick Reynolds, councillor candidate for the Waitematā and Gulf Ward.
City Vision is focused on improving public transport, enabling more affordable housing in inner areas, and making streets greener and more resilient to flooding.
“There are huge opportunities to improve safety, liveability, and appeal in the city, which also happens to be the very actions we need for addressing the cost of living, housing affordability, and climate change crises,” says Mr Reynolds .
Jon Turner, councillor candidate for Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa, says, “From spreading misinformation about the weekly rubbish collection and plan changes, to doubling down on their anti-democratic changes to the off-leash dog play area at Monte Cecilia Park, C&R have shown their true colours this election. Auckland Council delivers far more than ‘rates, roads and rubbish’. Planning for the future means investing in our libraries, parks, pools, cleaner water and a greener city.”
City Vision’s candidates and volunteers have been doorknocking across the Albert-Eden, Puketāpapa and Waitematā local board areas to listen to residents’ concerns, discuss policy, and raise awareness of the local election, and have found that many households have not received voting papers or are not aware of how to vote in a postal election. Auckland Council had the opportunity to make voting easier and more accessible by adding in-person voting booths this election, but a motion to do so was voted down 11:10 at a Governing Body meeting in June 2024.
Councillor Julie Fairey, who is standing alongside Jon Turner for the Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa ward, says, “City Vision has consistently supported measures to increase democratic participation, like booth voting, which C&R’s councillor voted against twice this term despite saying she supported it at debates in Balmoral and Mt Albert. We’ve focused on sharing accurate information about the city planning choices councillors face, rather than misleading folks. The replacement plan (Plan Change 120) is an opportunity for less sprawl, more flood protection and more homes close to public transport, and we will work with the community to get it right.”
City Vision co-chair Bobby Shen says, “City Vision stands for a positive future for a thriving, liveable and inclusive Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Our elected members and candidates work incredibly hard and listen to the diverse communities they are standing for. We are transparent about who we are: a collective of Labour, Greens, and community independents who are passionate about our local communities. My message to Aucklanders is to make your voice heard. With margins as tight as eight votes deciding who got elected in 2022, we know every vote can make a difference, so don’t miss out.”
Voting in the local government election continues until midday Saturday 11 October 2025. Voting papers can be dropped off at most libraries and Woolworths supermarkets: look out for the orange boxes. In person voting centres–one located in each local board area–and pop-up events where voters can enrol and cast a special vote are detailed on the Vote Auckland website.
ENDS
Media contacts:
Patrick Reynolds 0274 722 388
Julie Fairey 027 911 3030
Jon Turner 020 437 6382
Bobby Shen 021 172 5235
Notes for editors:
City Vision is an alliance of Labour, Greens and community independents working together for progressive change in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Since 1998, City Vision has championed policies that support a liveable, safe, connected, healthy, economically and environmentally sustainable city for all Aucklanders. City Vision stands candidates for the Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa and Waitemata and Gulf wards; the Albert-Eden, Puketāpapa and Waitematā local boards; and the Portage Licensing Trust.
