Opinion piece by Frank Newman: LAUGHS AND LIES FROM THE CANDIDATES PROFILES

The Candidate Information that went out with the voting papers is more amusing than it is informative.

The loudest laugh goes to Fiona Green with this comment. “My preference is for an all-male team with me supporting my team. I have found working with men – energizing because they are logical, straight up, and don't harbour grudges for a lifetime”.

What a hoot. So, women are illogical, not straight up, and harbour grudges for a lifetime? I guess Fiona is not chasing the women’s vote then(!) but she will be a hit with the menfolk who will be silently nodding approval (when their partner is not looking)! Fiona has since made a public statement to the effect that the version appearing in the profile was sent in error, but even so, it is priceless and deserves to be in print.

Candidate views on Maori wards & co-governance

Maori seats and co-governance have come in for attention during the campaign. To find out where each WDC candidate stands on these two issues, LETTERBOX has reviewed candidate campaign material or contacted candidates directly where their position is not mentioned.

We asked two simple questions:

• Do you support or oppose Maori wards? and

• Do you support or oppose co-governance?

Here are the results. 

Q & A with Urban Ward candidate Crichton Christie

 We continue our series of articles featuring candidates standing in the October local body elections.

One of Whangarei’s longest-serving local body councillors has announced he will be standing for election for the WDC Urban Ward.

Crichton Christie has extensive experience as a WDC councillor in the Denby Ward (Kamo), which is now part of the enlarged Urban Ward.  While a councillor, he held various senior roles, including the chairmanship of the planning, infrastructure and finance committees.  

We had a coffee with Crichton to find out why he had decided to stand again after a six-year break. 

Q & A with Bream Bay candidate Dave Baldwin

This continues our series of articles featuring candidates standing in the October local body elections.

Dave Baldwin is taking on two long-standing WDC councillors in the Bream Bay ward.  We spoke with Dave about his decision to stand for Council.

Letterbox question (Q): Why are you standing for council?

Dave Baldwin's answer (A):  Excessive rating and the 2025 Annual Plan review debacle brought me to this fight. The proposals this year were so outrageous that they should never have been released.

Q & A with Mayor Cocurullo

This is the latest in a series of interviews with candidates standing in the local body elections. Thank you to everyone who sent in questions for WDC Mayor Vince Cocurullo.

Q & A with Mayor Vince Cocurullo

Letterbox question (Q): What do you consider to be your greatest achievement in your three years as Mayor?

Mayor Cocurullo's answer (A): Bringing all of Northland’s councils together as a unified region. That has given us strength when lobbying central government on critical infrastructure. The fast-tracking of the four-lane highway to Auckland and the Whangarei hospital are good examples of the gains we have made.

Guest comment - Marie Olsen: "Marie for Mayor"

This is the second in a series where we feature decision-makers and candidates standing in the local body elections.

Last week WDC councillor, Marie Olsen, announced she will be challenging incumbent Vince Cocurullo for the mayoralty. Here are extracts from her announcement speech.

“Marie for Mayor”

I am Marie Olsen and I am running for Mayor…

There are many things that need changing. There are three policies I am announcing today.