Cunliffe out to show he has some street-cred

Labour leader David Cunliffe talks with Onehunga local Robert Reid, left, yesterday. Photo / Jason Oxenham

There were tough questions, soft questions, and sometimes no questions at all as Labour leader David Cunliffe took to the Auckland suburbs of Glen Innes, Onehunga and Tamaki yesterday to sell the party's policies.

Fresh off his announcement that all over-65s, pregnant women and children under 13 would get free GP visits and prescriptions, Mr Cunliffe visited Onehunga Mall.

But it was a shaky start, as a gentleman threw up his hands in a flutter in an attempt to avoid shaking Mr Cunliffe's hand.

And Colleen Whitehouse, 77, said she didn't want Labour's healthcare policy. "I think it would cost the country too much money."

Locksmith business owner Howard Reti had some kinder words, after hearing Mr Cunliffe talk about a higher minimum wage that would increase disposable incomes, which could trickle through to his business.

Mr Reti said Mr Cunliffe seemed like a "good human being", although he had not been swayed and remained a swing voter.

Across the road, Mr Cunliffe couldn't get a word in as one shop owner beamed a smile at him and said, over and over, "100 per cent!" - an apparent sign of total support.

In a cafe, Rodney resident Julie Whitcombe told Mr Cunliffe he would win her vote if he fixed the Auckland Council.

"At Snells Beach, the water drains on to the beach. The beach is going bye-bye ... and why does Auckland Council fund music in the parks? I'm sick of it as a ratepayer. Just get back to core services."

Mr Cunliffe said the council needed more accountability, and Labour would review the Auckland Council legislation.

Ms Whitcombe later said she was not convinced, "but he is better in person than he is on the telly".

Later at Tamaki College, the questions were few and far between.

What were the big issues this election? "Education? Education?" he asked to a line of shy, nodding heads.

Flanked for much of the day by Labour candidates Peeni Henare, Carol Beaumont and Chao-Fu Wu, Mr Cunliffe had earlier been at the Ruapotaka Marae in Glen Innes.

Marae caretaker Georgie Thompson said she liked Labour's health policy, and asked the easiest question of the day.

"Do those go through if you don't get elected?"

Mr Cunliffe replied: "If you want those, you have to party vote Labour."