Dan Lake spoke to Auckland Mayoral candidates Wayne Brown and Efeso Collins to find out exactly where they stand on issues affecting Tāmaki Makaurau’s queer community.
Aucklanders are just weeks away from making a decision which could have a huge effect on Tāmaki Makaurau’s future. The local elections not only decide who will sit as part of our next council, but it also decides who will be the city’s new mayor.
Despite that, voter turnout is low. Just 34.7 per cent of Aucklanders voted in the last local body elections.
The race for Auckland’s mayoral golden chains may not have the star power vote-off like that taking place in Invercargill – where mayoral veteran Tim Shadbolt is facing a challenge from veteran broadcaster Marcus Lush – but it does have two distinctively different main candidates.
Wayne Brown was a latecomer to the campaign but has hit the floor running.
Brown swept to victory in 2007 to become mayor of the Far North, and he continued to sweep once in office. Taking his broom to the council in an effort to make it more simple, and cheaper.
Speaking to express, Brown was not apologising for his anti-establishment position on councils and how they are run.
“I’m very socially liberal with all types of people, with the possible exception of bureaucrats,” Brown said.
Brown’s main competition comes from Efeso Collins, a candidate that has been publicly endorsed by both Labour and the Greens.
One of Collin’s biggest campaign pledges has been for free public transport.
But, it wasn’t a free ride on bus number 28 that was being discussed when Collins spoke to us. He opened up about views he used to hold, and how much they’ve changed over the years.
“I acknowledge and continue to apologise for the hurt and the pain that I caused in expressing views against marriage equality some years ago. Not just to members of the rainbow community, but to my friends and family,” Collins said.
He’s the son of a church minister, but Collins has spoken of his father welcoming transgender people to sing in the worship choir.
His progression to possible Mayor of Aotearoa’s most diverse city didn’t exactly take place on Dorothy’s Yellow Brick Road. But, Collins knows that more than most, and is all too aware that it puts him on the back foot in any conversation about our LGBTQ+ community.
So what does Collins think an active queer community Pride festivals and parades bring to a city like Auckland?
“It gives people an opportunity to say we’re part of this city too! It invites people who aren’t part of the Rainbow community to come to stand alongside to enjoy the event and to understand the community. I think that’s extremely significant. We’ve got to ensure that people feel like they can express themselves in a free way.
“Pride and many other events allow people to be proud of who they are, to stand out, enjoy the day together, and invite friends along and have a really special day acknowledging that they are part of what really speaks for the city,” Collins says.
“I’m jealous that Sydney will be hosting World Pride,” he adds.
“I want to look at how we can be as inclusive as possible, and really celebrate the experiences this city has as a home and as a destination.”
Reflecting on his previous opinions opposing gay marriage, Collins adds:
“I’ve had a lot of personal experiences which have given me further insight into the rainbow community, and I believe I am now more understanding of them. I’m prepared to stand alongside them in a way that they feel safe. I’m going to be a friend and an ally to their achievements.
“In my view, sometimes people have been quite militant in their views to me. And they might say I had militant views, too. But as we’ve been able to have loving, genuine discussions, that allowed people to come honestly to the table.”
He also acknowledges that the rainbow community is over-represented in Auckland’s growing homeless statistics.
“I was just at a youth workers event and the whole afternoon was spent with the Village Collective talking about fa’afafine as well as AVP (anti-violence project.)”
“I’m aware of the situation given I held the Homeless Youth Portfolio in council. What’s really important is that we educate people on those challenges. Acknowledging that many people are discriminated against, we stand alongside the community. It’s often young people of the rainbow community, as well as Māori and Pacific.”
“I’m particularly concerned for young rainbow people because we know from they are most affected by these really unfortunate and unacceptable opinions that people hold of them when they’re trying to seek housing.”
Meanwhile, when asked what having an active queer community brings to Auckland, Wayne Brown is quick to tell us: “I live in Ponsonby, mate!”
My son is gay. He and his partner have been together for years and we love them both. I’m alright with that and I think it livens up the place a lot!”
“We’re in the gay capital really, where I live,” he expands. “It’s not a mistake that we live there, we particularly like the ambience of K Road. I have an apartment up there. That area really appeals to me because it’s got such an eclectic section of people and places.”
My wife is tiny and we feel pretty good on K Road, it’s Queen Street we don’t feel comfortable with,” Brown says reflecting on violent crime in the central city.
“This is largely because they haven’t actually invested in security or lights. K Road can have its noisy moments in the early mornings and it’s often from people who have really had too much of a good thing. Rather than anything else.”
“I think the police could and should be on the street more than they are. There’s enough police in Auckland, there once was a time when most of them were on the beat and now a majority of them are in the office.”
“I”m going to get Queen Street back, because I’m going to tell them to start spending money on security. Until the police start getting officers on the street, it’s not safe.”
Brown is sceptical about his opponent, Collins’ previous stance on the rights of our communities.
“Efeso tells me he’s been on a journey. Well, mate. Let me tell you I ain’t been on that bus,” Brown tells us, adding, “It’s a bad journey, I’d never get a ticket!”
“He’s economically liberal and socially conservative. I’m economically conservative, and socially very, very liberal,” Brown concludes.
His comments mirror how many in Auckland are viewing the two frontrunners to become their Mayor.
A socially conservative candidate from South Auckland backed by Labour and the Greens, versus a central city wild card, a ‘very, very socially liberal’ candidate with broom in hand, who intends to sweep up excess spending and make the council a lot simpler.
Speaking of simple. Voting in this local body election couldn’t be easier. The old phrase if you don’t vote, don’t complain couldn’t be any more apt for this occasion.
A voter turnout of just 34 per cent really is an embarrassment for a city where the council is often making headlines.
Whether it’s free buses, or a cost-saving broom you’re after, just vote!
Voting in local elections closes at 12 noon on Saturday 8 October. Enrol to vote by visiting enrol.vote.nz
