Voters left scratching their heads

Photo / NZ Herald

Most people have no idea which ward they are supposed to be voting in at the Supercity elections.

A survey of 1200 newspaper readers found around 55 per cent admitted not knowing which ward they should be voting in.

The other 45 per cent claimed to know where they should be casting their vote - but many of those got it wrong.

In Auckland City, which is being split into five new wards, 62 per cent were right about which ward they were living in.

But in the Rodney District to the north - which is mostly being absorbed into Albany ward - just 45 per cent who claimed to know their ward got it right, and that's not counting those who didn't even pretend to know.

Three-quarters of Manukau residents correctly chose their ward, two-thirds of those in Waitakere, but only about half of North Shore and Papakura residents.

Do you know the ward you will be voting in?

Leanne Matthews, 46, Northcote. North Shore

"I know a little bit. I live in the North Shore ward I think. I don't know many of the candidates. I think it's all pretty unclear."

Mandy Scott, 46, tutor, Meadowbank. Orakei

"We would know more if there was more exposure. But is it going to change my life completely? Probably not."

Louisa Gallery, 40, sales rep, Mt Eden. Albert-Eden-Roskill

"I live in the central ward, I think. I'm not sure. Maybe it's Mt Albert. It's not that I don't care but I don't have the time. "

Chris Frederick, 31, Account Manager, Grey Lynn. Waitemata and Gulf

"I'd say central. I don't know a lot about them. I know there's big issues for Franklin and Rodney - from what I hear they're going to get swallowed up into the Supercity. There's been a lot of push back from those areas."

Derek Presland, 65, company director, Freemans Bay. Waitemata and Gulf

"I'm assuming it's Auckland Central but I could be wrong."

Adriano San Diego, 50, Henderson, Waitakere

"I think I belong to the Massey ward. I haven't looked at the way it will be redistributed - as far as the elections go, most of the advertising will be about the candidates."

Tim Tothill, 19, student, Pt Chevalier, Albert-Eden-Roskill

"Mt Albert - is that one? I've never had to think about it before. I'm too busy to vote. The last one with David Shearer, there were activists throwing lamingtons and stuff."


Council coundown

Is your council still working for you? As the eight councils wind down towards being amalgamated into the Auckland Supercity, we investigate each week whether they're still doing their jobs.

This week, how long does it takes councils to answer the phone?

Papakura District
5 seconds

Franklin District
5 seconds

Manukau City
7 seconds

Auckland City
8 seconds

Rodney District
10 seconds

North Shore City
34 seconds

Auckland Regional
36 seconds

Waitakere City
42 seconds