Local elections: Who are Aucklanders leaning towards for the mayoral race?

By Jonty Dine

With the withdrawals of Viv Beck and Leo Molloy, polls indicate the next Auckland mayor will either be Efeso Collins or Wayne Brown.

Just four days out from the Auckland Election RNZ hit the streets to find out which of the top two polling candidates voters are leaning towards.

Michael Edgar has cast his vote for Wayne Brown who he says impressed him with his logical policies.

"He's independent, he's not in bed with Wellington, I find a lot of the things he says to be smart and sensible. He also promotes and proposes smart solutions."

He believed Brown's abrasive nature would serve him well in politics.

Dominic Blaazer was backing Efeso Collins due to what he said was a strong connection to the community.

"I believe far more in egality and quality that should be in someone's heart and anybody who works out in the field is a good starting point and frankly the behaviour of the opposition Wayne Brown is not something I want to see in power."

Angela Dalton concurred saying Collins brought a collaborative approach to politics.

"Efeso brings with him mana, he certainly has respect and the mayoral role is someone who can stand in leadership and bring a council together."

Chris Sinclair shared similar sentiments.

"I just think he''ll bring a more diversified approach to being mayor i think he'll represent a wider group of people and i think he has a good common sense approach to most problems."

Keith Coelho said Brown was the man to get council spending under control.

"If you want less waste and our rates under control, he is what his slogan says. He is a fix it man and we need someone to fix Auckland Council very badly."

Rebecca Astle agreed.

"I think I'm going to go with Wayne Brown, he has the experience and I think he'll keep the rates down which sounds great to me."

Yesterday was the last day to get votes in the post but there are vote boxes at supermarkets, transport hubs and council buildings around Tāmaki Makaurau.

RNZ