Super City elections 2013: Fresh blood to challenge old faces

The Otara shopping centre and markets are a social hub for the people of Manukau, but they are badly in need of rejuvenation. Photo / Richard Robinson

Manukau has one of the country's youngest populations and now a new generation is ready to make its mark

For many in the Manukau ward, it's all about the Old School - sticking to traditional voting habits and the faces that have been around for years.

But new - and young - blood in this round of local body elections hopes to change old voting habits.

The Manukau district takes in Otara, Papatoetoe, Mangere and Otahuhu. Pasifika peoples make up just over 51 per cent of the population with 67,254 Pacific Islanders, followed by 29,079 European, 23,871 Asian and 22,869 Maori.

Many residents point to familiar faces on the billboards and say they will stick with those they know.

Widely respected policeman Alf Filipaina and former National MP Arthur Anae have served as councillors for the ward for the past few years and are front-runners again this year.

Mr Filipaina brought in 15,235 votes in the 2010 elections. Mr Anae followed with 13,269 votes.

There are several interesting local board candidates this year, including funeral director Nick Bakulich, police spokesman Willie Maea and one of the youngest candidates, 19-year-old Kayla Filimoehala.

With an average age of 28 years, the Manukau ward has one of the country's youngest populations and, therefore, huge potential.

But the majority of local young people admit they are not into politics and probably won't vote. Others say they simply don't care.

In the Otara-Papatoetoe local board race, newcomer Efeso Collins is hoping to change that attitude.

Mr Collins, who has worked extensively with youth in high schools, universities and church groups, said he was pushing to be the "youth voice". He's not scared to say that the time has come for new blood.

"My thing is, if you have people there who have been there for about 100 years, then it's time for someone new. It's time to give someone else a chance and it's time for new ideas."

In Otara, older residents say next to nothing has changed.

High unemployment, low incomes and too many students leaving school early - many without qualifications - are still big issues.

The local shopping centre is still the hub people head to during the day. There is familiarity and a homely feel to the place, they say.

But it's run-down and needs attention - the paint has faded and it feels neglected. There are several vacant shops and many of the buildings have been around for almost 40 years, one man says.

Mr Anae said resources needed to be pushed back into the Otara shopping centre - with the help of the local board.

"I think local boards really need to be going back to the people and understanding what needs to be done. [Rejuvenating] the centre is doable, but with good changes."

Papatoetoe residents have suffered for a long time, they say, with street sex workers threatening local businesses and causing property values to drop.

Among those looking for another spot on the Otara-Papatoetoe local board are John McCracken and Stephen Grey.

The pair were vocal about the Hunters Corner issue, patrolled the streets at night and set out to drive sex workers out of Papatoetoe.

That has seen a private members bill that will give local authorities more control over street prostitution.

Otahuhu residents are looking forward to the start of construction this month of a $30.9 million recreation precinct - complete with a library and swimming pool facility - which was canned almost five years ago.

Those in Mangere are unhappy that South Auckland's swimming pools are now free only to those aged 16 and under.

Mr Anae said they were working to make access to the swimming pools free for everyone again.

Mr Anae said the dream was to push the initiative to include all Auckland swimming pools.

Manukau profile

Ethnicity: Pasifika 51.8%, European 22.4%, Asian 18.4%, Maori 17.6%
Median age: 28 years
Median household income: $50,810
Current councillors: Arthur Anae and Alf Filipaina

Ward candidates
Arthur Anae (Independent), Baskaran Appu (Communist League), Tunumafono Ava Fa'amoe (Labour), Alf Filipaina (Labour), Roger Fowler (Mana), Avtar Fowler (Mana), Joe Trinder (Mana)

Local board candidates
Otara-Papatoetoe

Papatoetoe subdivision (4 seats)
Sina Aiolupotea-Aiono (Team Papatoetoe), Ashraf Choudhary (Team Papatoetoe), Stephen Grey (Papatoetoe Local Independents), Alistaire Hall (Team Papatoetoe), Donna Lee (Papatoetoe Local Independents), John McCracken (Papatoetoe Local Independents), Paul O'Brien (Papatoetoe Local Independents), Ross Robertson (Team Papatoetoe), Anthony Ryan, Ray Strong (Independent)

Otara subdivision (3 seats)
Efeso Collins (Labour), Lotu Fuli (Labour), Mary Gush (Labour), Ian Hei Hei (Mana), Jenn Jefferson (Otara Local Independents), Willie Maea (Otara Local Independents), Tupou Tamata Manapori, Vanessa Naden (Independent), Poutoa Papali'i (Otara Local Independents), Jim Sinclair, (Otara First)

Mangere-Otahuhu (7 seats)
Nick Bakulich (Labour), Carrol Elliott (Labour), Kayla Filimoehala (Mana), Roger Fowler (Mana), Roger Gummer (Independent), Tafafunai Tasi Lauese (Labour), Christine O'Brien (Labour), James Papali'i (Mana), Sam Patua (Independent), Leau Peter Skelton (Labour), Lydia Sosene (Labour), Kevin Stitt (Conservative), Walter Togiamua (Labour), Joe Trinder (Mana)