Mayoral close-ups help sway undecided voters

Manukau City Mayor Len Brown takes time out from campaigning to test the slide at Green Bay. Photo / Sarah Ivey

It would appear that getting out on the streets and shaking hands really can make a difference for a Super City mayoral candidate.

Hammer Hardware owner Yakub Mohammed had not voted - or even decided whom to vote for - when candidate Len Brown entered his Green Bay store yesterday afternoon.

Mr Mohammed chatted with Mr Brown about the that fact he had not got around to voting, despite his 7-year-old son pestering him to do so yesterday. He said his son had even mentioned Mr Brown's name, but he had not filled in the voting papers.

Mr Brown replied by saying: "Please vote - it's for you and your son and his future."

Mr Mohammed said he had been undecided on who to vote for but meeting Manukau's Mayor in person had helped him decide.

The store owner is one of many voters yet to tick any box.

Mr Brown came across plenty of others who had not got around to it - but promised to do so and tick his name after meeting him.

After a stop at the Green Bay shops, Mr Brown walked to the nearby community centre where a school holiday programme was being run.

With a little encouragement from the Herald he even ventured into the playground and on to a slide where he joined at least a dozen excited children.

Before leaving he told the children: "Thanks for embarrassing the hell of me on the slide," to which one boy replied "peace out".

On the other side of town Mr Brown's main rival for the top job, John Banks, was busy talking to voters on the North Shore.

Accompanied by wife Amanda, Mr Banks started the morning shaking hands at the Constellation Drive Park and Ride.

A campaign spokesman said he had "quite a positive response" and Mr Banks believed if everyone who said they were going to vote did, then he would have "no problems".

Mr Banks has been trailing Mr Brown in polls and has said he needs North Shore voters to vote for him to win the election.

He later went to a cafe in Takapuna beach where he enjoyed a coffee and shook more hands before going south to Botany.

Both candidates plan to be out meeting voters today - the last day forms can be posted. Voters can also deliver them to the nearest library or council building up until 12pm on Saturday.