KEY POINTS:
The Bob and John Show has been playing in Waitakere for three weeks now - before a limited audience of just a few hundred hardy souls.
Mayor Bob Harvey and challenger, former MP John Tamihere, have appeared together at nine public meetings. Polished debaters, they verbally sparred over the cost of rates, rubbish and the new civic centre, creating jobs and council staff numbers.
Lack of audience participation was lamented by mayoral and council candidates and meeting organisers alike. Early in the campaign, at a widely advertised "meet the candidates meeting" in Oratia, 15 candidates turned up.
"They were expecting to be grilled and intimidated by residents," said Oratia residents and ratepayers chairman Neil Allport. "It seems local residents must be extremely happy with the way the council is performing as only half a dozen showed up."
Mr Tamihere was not there. He is chief executive of the Waipareira Trust and co-hosts a Radio Live show with Manukau mayoral candidate Willie Jackson.
They invited former All Black Va'aiga (Inga) Tuigamala on their show to counter Mr Harvey's appearance with the prominent Samoan in advertisements for family violence prevention. Despite his access to the public ear, the former Cabinet minister seemed wary of the man who has led Waitakere for 15 years.
"This man is an advertising PR guru and he knows the tricks."
Last week Mr Tamihere unleashed a major advertising campaign in addition to going to ratepayers meetings and walkabouts at the market, shopping malls, shops and clubs.
At the Sunday flea market in Avondale, where he grew up, he personified his "proud Westie" campaign. "I'm getting a warm reception. People are making eye contact and waving, with all their fingers."
Mr Harvey relaxed on a Sunday afternoon by donning his author's cap at the Going West literary weekend at Titirangi. He launched his new book Wild Beast - the art of Dean Buchanan. He described his Karekare neighbour, Buchanan, as a "prolific, fantastic impressionistic West Coast painter".
He was feeling good despite the mayoral workload, which he said Mr Tamihere does not appreciate. "I've done 700 meetings this year ... it's a huge job."
He arrived early to a night meeting, organised by Waitakere Grey Power at Kelston, so he could give people his pamphlets.
Only 70 faces look up at the candidates on the stage. "There are no angry issues this election," he said.
His rival disagreed: "They've all got their gripes. After 15 years of encumbency, Bob has got more problems as he has gone on."
The first question was, "Why are you standing for mayor?"
Tamihere answered first. "Because I think that after 15 years it's time for a change. Over time not enough robust questioning goes on. We have a young population who need more structure, discipline and direction."
When Mr Harvey's turn came, he waved his Gold Card saying it got him $2 off a swim at the council's Henderson pool. "John says I'm old but I'm in my prime ... I'm the same age as Bob Dylan and Mick Jagger. I'm standing again because I don't want Waitakere City becoming a cash cow for the Waipareira handout trust."
Tamihere interjected: "That's rubbish." Afterwards, Mr Tamihere said: "It's been a good campaign but you have to ask the right questions and not be taken as a naughty person for asking it."
Mr Harvey said: "I've been overwhelmed by personal support wherever I go ... at Mitre 10, at the bowling club. I've kept dignified, refused to slag him, kept my patience when I've heard things I don't believe to be true."
John Hubscher was at the Greypower meeting. He said he was in touch with residents in his job as a door to door market researcher.
"People feel frustrated by the council. That's why only 35 per cent bother to vote. They don't feel they are being heard."
