Auckland Mayor picks Howick event over mayoral debate

Auckland mayoral candidate Kerrin Leoni has taken a shot at mayor Wayne Brown for snubbing a debate with his challengers.

Leoni will attend the University of Auckland mayoral debate tonight [Tuesday], while Auckland's mayor will instead attend a "long-booked" event with voters in Howick.

Mayoral candidates Leoni, Ted Johnston, Eric Chuah, Jason Pieterse, Peter Wakeman and Rob McNeil will take part in the debate

The debate is expected to focus on housing, transport, council spending, water, sustainability and growth.

It is part of a wider programme of public forums being held before October’s local elections.

Leoni, the Whau ward councillor, says Aucklanders need a mayor who is visible and accountable.

Six mayoral candidates will face off at the University of Auckland debate tonight, though incumbent Wayne Brown will not attend. Photo/Christchurch Council/RNZ/Policy.co.nz

She has used the upcoming debate to highlight what she calls inconsistent decision-making under the current mayor, particularly around local board funding.

“Next year, some local boards will lose extensive funding due to unfair calculations regarding assets like public pools,” Leoni says. “Aucklanders will not be hit with surprise hikes or excuses under my leadership.”

She says the issue of funding fairness underscored a broader lack of trust between ratepayers and council.

“Auckland needs a mayor who will show up, keep their word, and manage the city’s finances with discipline and fairness. That means financial accountability, transparency and follow-through. I will front up to the public, not hide from it,” she says.

A spokesperson for Mayor Brown’s campaign confirmed he would not be at the debate, saying he had “a long-booked and well-attended meeting with voters in Howick” on the same evening.

Auckland city, where mayoral candidates are setting out their visions ahead of October’s elections. Photo/file.

“The Mayor has been busy delivering on his promises and working with central government to deliver for Auckland,” the spokesperson says.

“Wayne is out there fronting to thousands of Aucklanders every week. Her statement is an unfounded political attack. Aucklanders want results and Wayne is delivering.”

On the issue of local board funding, the spokesperson says, Brown has been a strong advocate for local boards.

"He has worked to make council finances sustainable.”

University of Auckland Debating Society events officer Robert Hoskins confirmed that mayoral candidates Ryan Pausina, Wayne Brown and Michael Coote were also invited. Pausina may attend but Brown and Coote have declined.

"We sent out multiple invites to Wayne Brown through his Council office and campaign website and received no response."

Brown came under fire earlier in the month over a separate debate.

The University of Auckland Debating Society told RNZ it had hoped to hold a mayoral debate on Tuesday, 5 August.

At the time, a spokesperson said only Leoni responded to the debate invite.

*The mayoral debate will be held at 7pm tonight, in the Auckland Medical Research Foundation (AMRF) Auditorium, Building 505, at the University of Auckland’s Grafton campus.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.