What the people think

The political pundits think they have the ability to predict the outcome of the local body elections, but the people who really know what's going on in the minds of the general public are the barbers, hairstylists and taxi drivers.
The Northern Advocate thought we'd get the word on the street on the race for the Whangarei mayoralty from their unique perspective.
Hairdressers, barbers and taxi drivers - they have their eyes and ears on the ground.
Or at least they hear everything as their customers air out their feelings, secrets and frustrations while in the chair or back seat.
So The Northern Advocate thought the three would have the inside gossip, or at least know the word on the street, about how next month's local body elections will shape up in Whangarei.
At this time there are polls on preferred candidates carried out by market research companies on behalf of the media. But perhaps those ``in the know' should also have an insight into which way people are voting and what the issues are.
Veteran Whangarei barber Phil Benfell said judging from the very little discussion his customers have with him, it seems former three-time mayor Stan Semenoff would be the next mayor.
"He seems to be the favourite but it's early days yet. They (people) seem to think that Stan didn't do a bad job the last time he was in," Mr Benfell said.
He said most people preferred a new stadium without ratepayer funding to attract some pool games during the 2011 Rugby World Cup to Whangarei.
Kate Lockey of Headlines Hairstylists on Walton St said while people were undecided about the election, not many were saying that Pamela Peters should be kicked out of the top job.
"A lot of people are saying: `well, I'll think about it'. The biggest problem is traffic congestion and people are also quite negative about the stadium," she said of her customer's election comments.
Steve Gray of A1 Cabs said his customers thought Mr Semenoff would get in, although not necessarily that they'd vote for him.
"I ask them who they think will be the next mayor and there seems to be a trend towards Stan. He was there before and they know him," Mr Gray said.
Interestingly, he said people were not talking about common issues like rates and the new stadium.
"I think it's because of a general lack of interest and information about who was contesting until very recently."
Hairstation's Anna Harsant said people coming to her salon seemed more interested in shopping, fishing and what they'd be doing in the weekend than elections.
"I can't think of a situation where people have talked about who they're going to vote for," she said.
Ms Harsant said she had seen a lot of posters featuring Ms Peters vandalised.
"I just think people make lots of election promises but don't fulfil them once they're in. I don't get into it."
Frank Kevey of London Barber said judging from the feedback he had received so far, Mr Semenoff would win the mayoral seat although personally he thought he did a bad job the last time.
"Pamela's a bit soft. She goes with what others have decided ... the council seems to be spending a lot of money on stuff that's not needed," he said.
Mr Kevey said people fret about road development in the Town Basin, saying it should have been better planned.