THE DRUMS ARE BEATING

Left, centre link in campaign for new council. By Edward Rooney
Left and centre politicians are mustering a coalition for an assault on the super-city mayoralty and council.
The controversial new council for greater Auckland is being rolled into place in time for elections in October next year.
Right-wing groups are marshalling under the Citizens & Ratepayers Association which controls Auckland City Council and is commonly known as ``the National Party in drag' . It's hard to imagine them endorsing anyone other than John Banks for mayor (see box).
Manukau's right-wing People's Choice organisa tion has forged a partnership with Auckland C&R; to set up East Auckland and Manukau branches of Auckland C&R.; Talks are also believed to be underway for right-wing alliances in North Shore and Waitakere City.
The Aucklander understands a series of meetings is discussing a concerted campaign to push left-wing policies. Several people identified the Maungakiekie Labour Party as the organisers.
On Monday night, the coalition met for at least the third time - on this occasion at the College of Chiropractic in Mt Wellington.
Another meeting was held in central Auckland, one other in Waitakere.
Labour Party member and Auckland City Councillor Richard Northey says: ``There have been a few Auckland-wide meetings and feelers have gone out for involvement from the left and centre spectrums. There have not been any specific discussions about candidates as yet.'
Mr Northey says those involved - whom he declines to identify - are from a broad range of backgrounds but share some common beliefs.
``I don't think it would be helpful to name names,' he says. ``The core value is a commitment to democracy which is not sufficiently covered in the structures the Government is proposing.'
The former MP - for Eden and Onehunga - says the group will campaign to get ``good people' to stand for the new super-city.
Mr Northey confirmed one issue that has been discussed is income-based rating, which would ease the pressure on lower-paid Aucklanders.
A regular attendee at the meetings is Manukau Mayor Len Brown, who remains resolutely coy about his candidacy but confirms he is involved in the as-yet unnamed faction.
Asked when he will announce he's standing for election, he replied: ``I'm waiting for you to become my campaign manager, Edward.'
Whether he has the stamina for the election campaign and the job, Mr Brown says, ``Only God knows that.'
Mr Brown was also at the Labour Party-organised gathering in Mt Wellington.
``It's pretty evident there presents an opportunity, with the Citizens & Ratepayers already out there seeking to establish themselves, for a new and strongly regionalised grouping to focus on what we have achieved and what we are achieving for our communities.
``We need one strong candidate for mayor and a significant number of candidates across the region.'
Asked when a mayoral candidate would need to declare themselves, with elections little more than a year away, Mr Brown says: ``Not too much fur ther.' Then he adds, ``I've seen campaigns won in a month. I'm not too worried about the timing.'
Meet our new super-city neighbours - Cover Story Mayor? There's a short shortlist says Mr Fix-it
The former Mr Fix-It for public enterprises with billion-dollar-budgets says voters should look at ``CVs not celebrities' when voting for mayor of the super-city.
Wayne Brown, now mayor of the Far North, says voters need look no further than an exclusive billion-dollar-club to run the amalgamated city. ``You don't lend your car to someone who can't drive. You need to see who's achieved anything and what their skill-sets are.'
Savile Row suits with experience running state-owned enterprises and vast companies with billion-dollar budgets should get the tick, he says. And if that sounds like anyone familiar ...
Mr Brown has 15 years' experience cleaning up corporate messes and was appointed and reappointed to boards by various governments. These included health boards, Transpower, Vector, the Land Transport Safety Authority.
But he has not thrown his name into the mayoral mix ... yet.
Talking exclusively to The Aucklander, Mr Brown said he would not discount running for the job in the future.
Mr Brown is all for the Auckland union but opposes stitching-up provincial councils. ``If we're governed from Whangarei, I'll head back to Auckland and have a go [for Auckland Mayor].'
He suggests businessman Sir Ron Carter would be good at the job, but wonders who would want to be in a popularity contest with the likes of broadcaster Paul Holmes.
John Banks, he says, has a good business background, but Auckland City Council did not have a big enough budget for him to deserve voter confidence.
Mr Banks says he is ``on track to put his hand up' for the role. ``This will be my 13th election and I am trying to work out if 13 is my lucky number.'
The job will be a very substantial, complex and highly stressful challenge. ``It's going to need a talented individual to get across the line.'
Mr Banks says he controlled a billion- dollar budget as Police Minister and says, ``Give or take a bob or two,' Auckland City Council's budget is right up there.
07 05 2009