Press Release from Peoples Choice - 20 February 2007

Dick Quax running again

Peoples Choice has selected Dick Quax as its candidate for the Manukau City mayoralty in this year’s local body elections. The former Olympic athlete and current second-term Manukau City Councillor was selected unopposed at the Peoples Choice AGM held at the Botany library on Tuesday night.

Dick Quax was the Peoples Choice mayoral candidate in the 2004 election, finishing only 3% behind the incumbent Sir Barry Curtis.

Peoples Choice Secretary Bryan Mockridge said they were delighted to have Councillor Quax leading the Peoples Choice team of candidates again. “Dick nearly won last time, and he has been a highly effective Councillor. He has taken strong leadership positions on key issues, such as the rate increases proposed last year, which by his persistence Dick successfully halved.”

“We are confident Dick will be elected the next mayor of Manukau, together with a majority team that can make changes for the better.”

Accepting the nomination, Councillor Quax said he is greatly encouraged by the support he received at the last election and looks forward with confidence to the elections in October.

“There are many issues facing the city which I look forward to getting to work on, such as ensuring that our town centres are safe and graffiti free, that traffic congestion is eased, public transport is improved, that our sensitive environment is protected, that rates are kept low and housing will be affordable”.

Councillor Quax said that he will continue to fight against unnecessary rate increases. “Manukau City can save $100 million by not funding the Wiri dead-end railway or the Flat Bush Town Centre. These Think-Big projects are not city council responsibilities.”

Dick Quax wants a thorough review of all Manukau City costs. “If the Peoples Choice team wins a majority on the next council, we will scutinise all departments to ensure that core council services are given priority.”

Peoples Choice is a non-party political ticket made up of concerned residents from all wards of Manukau City. In 2004, 13 Peoples Choice candidates were elected to the Council, Community Boards, or District Health Board. In 2005 and 2006, candidates supported by Peoples Choice won all three Manukau by-elections, overtaking Labour as the largest elected local-body ticket in the city.

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