By WAYNE THOMPSON
True to tradition, a close contest is developing in the election for Mayor of North Shore City.
The city has had four mayors since it was formed 11 years ago.
Incumbent George Wood is hoping his use-by date is longer than three years.
He said yesterday that he believed
there was "considerable support for me to stay on, because the city needs stability and continuity".
But a Herald survey of some of his political colleagues yesterday found a general agreement that Mr Wood was facing a strong challenge from a councillor and prominent environmental campaigner, Joel Cayford.
Many referred to the two men as offering different styles and strengths.
Mr Wood, the city's former police manager, is admired for his enthusiasm.
Dr Cayford, a scientist, is admired for his strong opinions.
Some colleagues have also detected growing support for a third candidate - former East Coast Bays Mayor Alan McCulloch.
He has pledged to forsake the annual mayoral salary of $99,100 in return for just out-of-pocket expenses.
In the absence of official polls on the mayoral race, Takapuna Grammar social studies students conducted a survey of 62 fellow pupils. The result placed Dr Cayford ahead of Mr Wood by four votes, with Mr McCulloch a distant third.
Dr Cayford said he was heartened by interest in his campaign, which calls for fresh thinking on council policy for cleaning up the beaches, coaxing more citizens on to buses and curbing urban sprawl.
This week, his information website received up to 1500 hits a day.
Also in Dr Cayford's favour is that his strong Devonport support base seems keener to cast a vote than other places in the city.
Mr Wood, although an independent, has received a boost with public support from the A-Team ticket led by councillor Jenny Kirk, a former Labour MP.
His campaign rests on leadership skills to ensure the council sticks to its long-term environmental programmes.
Mr Wood said his main worry was people who thought they did not need to vote because all was well.
Postal vote returns were 3 per cent behind those of the election three years ago.
Feature: Local body elections 2001
www.localgovt.co.nz
