The New Plymouth mayoral candidates attend a debate at the Theatre Royal. Photo: Robin Martin/RNZ
A bumper crowd turned up at the Theatre Royal in New Plymouth on Thursday night for an at times spirited and often humorous Taranaki Daily News mayoral debate.
With the incumbent Neil Holdom not seeking re-election, the city is guaranteed a new leader and nine candidates have put up their hand.
About 400 people packed into the theatre at the TSB Showplace to hear the mayoral hopefuls spell out their hopes and dreams.
Taranaki Daily News editor and MC for the night Matt Rilkoff was in touch with his audience.
"This is what democracy is all about dark rooms, uncomfortable chairs and people on pensions."
Outsider and former cop John Woodward had a CV to envy.
"I've been shot at, I've been set on fire, I've been assaulted more times than I care to remember and I've also been honoured during that time to receive a bravery award for my service within the New Zealand Police.
"I know what it means to stand up when it counts."
Greg Mackay was standing for mayor a third time.
He sparked roars of laughter with a tongue-in-cheek quip about plans for the coastal walkway.
"The extension to Waitara from here ... and back again ... it's good to hear you laughing. It shows your listening. We probably can't afford it, but we have to have a look at it."
Asked if he could work under a Mackay mayoralty ... RSA boss Graham Chard was diplomatic and comedic.
"In my time in the military I have to work with a lot of people that potentially ... and in my policing role I had to take a similar kind of approach.
"How I deal with people is to cut their heads off - figuratively - and then look at what the body is doing and relate to the body."
His way of saying he could work with anyone.
The big issue of the night was rates and whether they should be capped or not.
Current councillor Sam Bennett had a curious workaround - curbing.
"Curbing is different than capping. If you put a cap on something you might as well kneecap it because that is your limit. With my policy curbing means to be flexible."
Bennett wants to 'curb' rates rises to between 6 and 7 percent.
Max Brough favoured the introduction of a rates cap. Photo: Robin Martin/RNZ
Max Brough darling of the New Plymouth District Ratepayers Alliance - which he helped set up - wanted a rates cap.
"What it's designed to do is to get us back to doing the right stuff first. What we've had at council for too long is 'lets do all this other stuff and not do the right stuff' and we keep piling on top of what we need to spend and that's where we've got to."
Pushed on what projects he would axe he listed the coastal walkway extension to Waitara, a new sports hub and streetscaping outside the Len Lye Centre as examples.
Sarah Lucas won over many new fans. Photo: Robin Martin/RNZ
That got under the skin of the only woman candidate, Sarah Lucas.
"We talk about nice to haves but every project you mentioned then is a good to have and every project you mentioned then is so good to have that it increases our well-being and keeps people out of hospital. It can't be negotiable."
Deputy mayor David Bublitz said a rates cap would put the council's viability at risk.
"If we went to a rates cap of CPI plus 1 percent we are talking say 4 percent ... we will get no work done.
"Keeping it at 4 percent, I believe, is dangerous for the long term sustainability of the council."
Deputy mayor David Bublitz addresses voters at the NP mayoralty debate. Photo: Robin Martin/RNZ
And it wouldn't be a New Plymouth election debate without mention of the city's concrete cycleway barriers nicknamed the Tim Tams due to their resemblance to the biscuits.
Max Brough planned to rip them out if elected.
"I know it was about keeping the place safe for kids getting to school, but it wasn't done very well and we need to do that in a better fashion when we come back and redo it."
And the verdict from the voters?
Anne was staying with Max Brough.
"He's intelligent, he's bright, he's smart and he knows how to manage."
Katy had another view.
"I think my number one vote will be for Sarah."
John was a fan of Graham Chard.
"I think the Chard fellow. He sounded very intelligent."
Peter was another Brough fan.
"I think Max won the vote tonight just his attitude and the way he's behaving."
John was another in the Sarah Lucas camp.
"I think Sarah. I think she's got an overall good handle and perspective on everything."
Graham was backing Brough.
"I think Max stole the show. He was more positive and had the correct answers in my opinion."
A woman - who preferred not give her name - was another Lucas convert.
"I thought Sarah was very impressive. She seemed to know the system and just came across as smart."
Voting in this year's local body elections closes at noon Saturday 11 October.
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