A general feeling of disinterest would best sum up the climate of the west ahead of this month’s elections.
“Keep walking mate.”
“Not interested.”
“I don’t do politics.”
About 70 per cent of people approached by The Star did not want to talk about the elections.
But some did.
The same feeling of frustration which dominated the east was mirrored in the west and northern suburbs.
Julie of Hornby epitomised the feeling of frustration that ran deep across the west.
She said she was unlikely to vote for any of the mayoral candidates.
“If I was on council I would sort a few things out. I would get somebody to do something, people want things done.”
She thought something desperately needed to be done about boy racers.
“Those bloody boy racers, my nephew refers to them as oxygen wasters, and something needs to be done about it.”
Gray Ussher seemed relaxed and at ease as he lounged across a sofa in the Merivale Mall. However, beneath the surface, he shared Julie’s frustrations.
“Sometimes I think we need a sort of dictator who is going to get things done and not try to tend to everybody,” he said.
Mr Ussher said he would be voting for Darryll Park.
“I don’t know the man [Darryll Park] personally but he has had some businesses and I’m hoping if he gets elected he will run the council like a business, not like a retirement village.”
Olive Hill was shopping at Dyberg/Kern in the mall.
She was not frustrated with anyone in particular, but with the lack of voter turn out.
“I just want to say that it is very important for all women to vote and all people to vote. I get so angry that people don’t vote,” she said.
She had voted but would not reveal who for.
“I have voted but my choices have been focused on going back to the basics and focused on moving the city forward but for everyone.”
Chris was waiting for a bus outside the Merivale Mall.
He was not too sure who he was going to vote for but wanted something done about the “bloody rough” rates increases.
“I am not too sure they [the city council] do a lot of stuff but the rates still seem to rise and rise, they should focus on the infrastructure and not keep pumping up the rates.”
The same level of frustration could be found at the Avonhead Mall.
Ian Jenson was having a look around Picadilly Book Shop. He was leaning towards voting for Darryll Park.
“The existing mayor is a political hack. He [Darryll Park] is the least useless candidate from what I can tell, I don’t necessarily think he is a great candidate though,” he said.
Working at the Hornby Florist is Katrina Donnithorne. She says the mayoralty needed a “fresh face.”
She would probably vote for J T Anderson.
“He is focusing on mental health and I have a lot of friends who have got lost in the system and he is wanting to look into that,” she said.
“I think we need a fresh face in Christchurch and maybe just a younger vibe this time.”
Oriana Toasland at Shampoo ‘n’ Things at the hub was not so sure who she would vote for.
“Lianne has done her job but she is not a stand out for me. She was really good during the mosque shootings though and I do love a woman in power,” she said.
Ros Thornley in Halswell was backing Ms Dalziel.
She saw Ms Dalziel as the only serious candidate in this month’s election.
“I like Lianne, I’m not keen on the other fellow Darryll Park, he is too keen on business, we need more of a focus on well- being which is where I’m thinking we should be going,” she said.
Nathaniel Hamilton was tucking into a bowl of spinach, sweetcorn and tuna at his flat on Picton Ave in Riccarton when asked for his thoughts going into the elections.
The Canterbury University student said he was not sure who he would be voting for but said he wanted a mayor that would push for free public transport.
“It’s good for the environment,” he said.
Free public transport has been a fundamental component of John Minto’s campaign.
Molly-Rose Wilson, 24, of Riccarton shared Mr Hamilton’s views, believing free public transport would be of massive benefit to the city.
“There are a lot of people that can’t afford to travel to go to work so they don’t work and I think that free public transport will help, a few of my flatmates can’t work because they can’t afford the buses,” she said.
Cody Laing in Riccarton had just finished work when he was approached by The Star.
Mr Laing said he was not sure who he was going to vote for but knew exactly what he wanted from his next mayor.
“I want a mayor that I can sit down and have a beer with.”
Outside Westfield Riccarton, Tony Dale said he would probably vote for Ms Dalziel.
“I think she is a good mayor, she has managed to strike a good balance between rates rises and getting the city back on its feet,” he said.
Along the road at Rogues of Rotherham, Pam McClintock was enjoying a white wine with her husband Steve who was indulging in a pint of Heineken.
She was likely to vote for Darryll Park.
“To me, he would be a refreshing change and I just like how he reads up on things.
“I think Lianne has done enough and I think it is time for a change, I don’t dislike her but it is time for a change,” she said.
