Auckland Mayoral contenders to be tested on environmental issues

Auckland Mayoral candidate Phil Goff. Photo / File

Environmental issues are expected to be raised at an Auckland mayoral debate in Titirangi this evening.

Six candidates - Phil Goff, John Palino, Penny Bright, Mark Thomas, David Hay and Chloe Swarbrick - have confirmed they will attend the debate, organised by the Titirangi Residents' Group.

The debate will be MCed by former Waitakere City Mayor and Labour President Sir Bob Harvey, who performed the same duties at Goff's mayoral campaign launch on August 28.

Centre-right candidate Vic Crone pulled out of the event at the 11th hour.

A spokeswoman for her campaign said she was double-booked and would be attending a dinner date.

"Just one of those things, full schedule and balancing different events and getting around as many audiences as possible," the spokeswoman said.

Each candidate will have three minutes to address the meeting before the floor is open to questions.

The youngest mayoral candidate, 22-year-old Chloe Swarbrick, said she was prompted to stand as a result of a 34 per cent voter turnout in Auckland in 2013.

"You cannot have representative democracy when two thirds are not voting," she said.

Swarbrick said those who didn't vote distrusted council or lacked understanding.

Those who did vote felt there was some formidable wastage and a lack of transparency.