Southern voting too close to call

John Walker. Photo / Paul Estcourt

A battle between three heavyweights for a Super City job has taken its toll on returning politician Sir Barry Curtis, who admitted he had talked himself hoarse in trying to win votes.

Sir Barry, who is running for the Manurewa-Papakura ward, said he was losing his voice yesterday after a week of public meetings.

The former Manukau Mayor, 71, faced a tough task in returning to the political landscape after bowing out three years ago.

He is up against Sir John Walker and Papakura mayor Calum Penrose. With two seats available in the ward, at least one high-profile name will miss out.

Sir Barry, a champion of social justice in his 24 years as mayor, rubbished suggestions from political commentators that older politicians should give way to fresh faces.

"Everyone on the street has told me 'get there and makes sure this council works'. It needs my experience."

All of the candidates said that after weeks of stalking South Auckland streets and delivering leaflets the final result was too close to call.

As he took down his billboards yesterday, Sir John said he felt he had done enough to be voted in.

"If the people want me, they want me. If they don't, I'm not going to cry. But I feel very confident."

The former Olympian said that in a confused electorate - "many people still think I'm running for mayor" - it was crucial that he could offer a realistic and understandable issue.

He wants to introduce his Field of Dreams sports programme to young people across the Auckland region.

"We have 4000 kids a night turning up in parks to play sports.

"There's got to be benefits in keeping them off the streets. Free swimming pools means more kids out of trouble."

The other frontrunner for a council seat, Mr Penrose, had a strong chance of keeping a knight out of the Super City. He already had a strong support base from his tenure as mayor.

Mr Penrose said he was not daunted in taking on two major personalities and believed his track record in local politics could see him grab one of the final two spots.

"There was a time when 98 per cent of my phone calls were about social issues in the region. Now about 2 per cent of my calls are on social issues. Papakura has come a long way."

Mr Penrose felt the region had moved on from its initial intention to be excluded from the Super City, and he was now excited at the prospect of inclusion in the new council.