One of the big hopes associated with the Super City was that it would attract high-quality candidates for the mayoralty, the 20-seat Auckland Council and the 21 local boards.
Men and women with energy, fresh ideas and independent minds would be lured by the scale of the new structure and the opportunity to make a real difference.
So much for expectations. The list of candidates revealed when nominations closed yesterday suggested that what lay in store more resembled old wine in new bottles.
The most notable aspect of the list is the number of existing or former mayors or members of Parliament who are standing in the council's 13 wards.
They come from all sides of the political spectrum and feature such well-known names as Christine Fletcher, Mike Lee, George Wood and Marie Hasler.
In addition, of course, the closely contested race for the mayoralty is being fought out between two mayors, Len Brown and John Banks, of Manukau City and Auckland City, respectively.
Whoever wins can expect to have as many as five current or former mayors gathered around him at the Auckland Council table. At best, it seems there will be a handful of faces new to local-body politics.
That is hardly an inspiring prospect. But it reflects an ongoing reality of local government. Few people give much thought to it, even though the likes of roading, libraries, parks and drainage affects their everyday lives more than national politics.
Usually, few people take much notice of local-body elections, either. They do not spend a lot of time studying candidates' policies or personal qualities.
In such a context, name recognition becomes important. Those with the profile of a mayor or MP have a substantial advantage to go with an experience in politics that may also be a point in their favour.
This becomes even more important when the nature of most local-body elections is thrown into the equation. There is usually substantial unanimity between the candidates when it comes to the likes of keeping rate increases to a minimum, better public transport and a clean environment. This mayoral campaign has been no different.
Mr Brown and Mr Banks differ only in matters of degree, not substance. No burning issues have emerged.
The campaign has been flat since the spectacle created by Mr Brown's response to his council credit card breaches.
The list of candidates for the Auckland Council suggests more of the same there. Indeed, perhaps the more interesting aspect of the list is the number and quality of those vying to become local board members.
Auckland City councillors Greg Moyle and Ken Baguley, having missed selection for wards, have been happy to seek election to the Waitemata and Orakei boards, respectively. Precisely what functions these boards will have are still to be finalised, but both men clearly believe they can play a worthwhile role in the development of their local communities.
The generally humdrum run-up to the Super City is the more regrettable in that the new structure has generated public interest. There have been very good attendances at many of the mayoral debates.
Obviously, many people see the October 9 election as a watershed in Auckland's governance. They deserve candidates with ideas, vigour and independence.
It is a shame that, in the main, they will have to settle for less.
<i>Editorial</i>: It's a super city, shame about the candidates
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