When Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt and Va'aiga ("Inga the Winger") Tuigamala press their handprints in wet cement outside Henderson's civic chambers this month, they could be carrying out the last rites for what is known as "The Waitakere Way".
The Walkway of Fame recognises high-achieving "Westies" such as Mr Shadbolt,
who was Waitemata City mayor from 1983-89, and Mr Tuigamala, who is a businessman and former All Black.
The ceremony is one of the quirky features associated with the 18-year mayoral reign of Bob Harvey.
It is copied from overseas but goes with his vision of turning an old apple packing shed into the "Hollywood of the Pacific".
At 70, he is neither interested in contesting the Auckland mayoralty nor in one of the two seats on Auckland Council reserved for his soon-to-vanish city.
But he has an important appointment in the Super City as chairman of the Waterfront Development Agency and has advice for the nine Waitakere ward candidates.
"In the west, our identity has always been founded on the idea of an eco city that fits under the foothills of the Waitakere Ranges," he says.
"It has been the backbone of this city for nearly 20 years. Our communities have decided the future of their area, but they have always been informed by sustainability principles."
Mr Harvey says the great task of the new council will be taking that vision across the region. There is no shortage of missionaries for the cause.
Penny Hulse, a councillor for 18 years, the past three as deputy to the globetrotting Mr Harvey, was an outspoken critic of the Super City and its impact on Waitakere.
"I started out to fight for the environment in our local rural community and I'm still protective of the environment.
"But I'm also keen to build on Waitakere's achievements in the local economy, film industry and Westgate-Hobsonville expansion and the transformation of New Lynn.
"I suggest we use the partnerships for the New Lynn rail underground project as an example of how to structure our relationships with the council-controlled organisations.
"That's the stuff that really switches my light on."
Mrs Hulse's strongest opponent, Sandra Coney, the Auckland Regional Council parks chairwoman, fears the eco city idea will be swamped in the enormous city and that the fragile forests of Waitakere Ranges will not be taken care of.
She points to the need for the regional-level experience of herself and fellow Waitakere candidate Paul Walbran, who is chairman of the ARC regional strategy & planning committee.
"We have just finished the Regional Policy Statement. Many people don't know what it is, yet it will be an enduring document for the whole region and we know our way around that."
Ms Coney said strategic and high-level work was also required for the spatial plan that the Auckland Council will need to guide the location of the region's development and services for 2.3 million people by 2051.
Mr Walbran, who calls himself a mixture of "greenie and petrol head", said the west was a leader in sustainability.
"I think it's the west rescuing everywhere else - it has a lot to offer."
Future West - a ticket contesting Waitakere local board elections - is not competing against Mrs Hulse, who is standing as an Independent.
Marie Hasler, a former National Government minister and MP, is standing on a Citizens & Ratepayers Waitakere ticket with Mark Brickell, who calls himself a cheerleader for the west's buses, beaches and people.
"I have a record of representing and working with the community for nine years as MP and I will be working closely with local boards to make sure their voice is heard," said Kelston resident Ms Hasler.
Present city councillors Vanessa Neeson and Peter Chan also seek a place as Independents.
Mrs Neeson said that in June, Waitakere was placed third in the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize, behind Bilbao and Melbourne.
"We have brought about making it a quality environment, liveable, cohesive and sustainable and I hope Auckland can grasp this vision and expand on it."
The consensus is that the feisty Westie will vote to protect the "Waitakere Way" from the Super City takeover.
However, the ballot box from 2007 elections shows only 37.6 per cent of the 126,288 voting papers sent out were returned with votes cast for mayor, council and community board.
Voters were mostly in the over-60s age group, or were responding to a burning issue in their communities, such as rates, which have gone up $180 for an average house in three years to $2014.
And households' annual fixed charge for wastewater has risen from $370 to $430.
WHO'S OUT WEST
Median household income: $59,057.
Ethnicity: European 60.6 per cent, Pacific 16 per cent, Maori 14.2 per cent, Asian 13.7 per cent.
Birthplace: NZ 67.8 per cent, overseas 32.2 per cent.
Years since arrival in NZ for overseas born: 0-9 years 42.3 per cent, 10-19 years 21.9 per cent.
CANDIDATES
Mark Brickell - Citizens & Ratepayers
Peter Chan - Independent
Sandra Coney - Best for the West
Bill Daly - Independent
Marie Hasler - Citizens & Ratepayers
Penny Hulse - Independent
Vanessa Neeson - Independent
Cheryl Talamaivao - Communities Advancing Prosperity
Paul Walbran - Best for the West
THE SERIES
Monday: Albany
Tuesday: Manukau
Wednesday: Whau
Yesterday: Franklin
Today: Waitakere
