Tamihere rolls first policy dice in Auckland mayoral race

Monday, 15 April 2019

Auckland Mayoral candidate John Tamihere and running-mate Christine Fletcher at their first policy launch.

OPINION: John Tamihere has rolled the first policy dice in the Auckland mayoral contest, taking a stance on divisive issues.

Tamihere has gone big on the future of Eden Park stadium, supporting it as a concert venue, pledging upgrades, a new covered venue next door, and warning rugby league's Warriors that it will become their home.

The Tamihere campaign unveiled it's campaign 'truck' at the Chamberlain Park policy launch.

The launch of his Parks, Open Spaces and Stadium policy at the council's Chamberlain Park public golf course, also offers pointers to how the former Labour MP will play his campaign.

His real gamble though, is taking sides in emotive debates, where Mayor Phil Goff has struggled to make progress.

John Tamihere and running-mate Christine Fletcher, pitch their first policy launch at Chamberlain Park golf course.

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The attempt to re-organise Auckland's collection of misfit major stadia has bedevilled the council since the 'Stadium Strategy' work launched in 2012.

As a refined version is polished to put before the council in the next months, Tamihere has cut through with his own variation.

Mt Smart stadium in the long run is a goner, with Tamihere and his running mate councillor Christine Fletcher insisting ratepayers can't afford the eventual $350 million revamp cost.

Eden Park - financially supported but not owned by the council - is Tamihere's focus.

Public opinion is divided on whether the stadium in suburban Sandringham has a long-term future.

Tamihere wants it upgraded, able to host six concerts a year, and building a self-funding multi-sport facility on the neighbouring No.2 ground.

Top level cricket except limited-over games would move out, and Tamihere and Fletcher are unconvinced that Western Springs stadium is the only contender.

Speedway would stay at the Springs until a new venue is ready for it to move, in the Tamihere-Fletcher plan.

None of that is ground-breaking. The council's latest-evolution of the Stadium Strategy - now called the Venue Development Strategy - also signals the likely terminal cost of keeping Mt Smart alive, and touts the advantages of concentrating more sport at Eden Park.

Speedway too is safe for one more season, with talk already of two, until its new home is built.

The gamble for Tamihere and Fletcher is to take stances that will instantly attract or alienate potential voters.

The choice of Chamberlain Park for the policy launch was another such gamble.

It is one of only two 18-hole council-owned and run public golf courses, and the council, following the lead of the Albert-Eden-Roskill Local Board, plans to reduce it to nine-holes to develop sports grounds, walking and cycling paths and playgrounds for the surrounding communities.

Tamihere's pitch to retain it as a full 18-holer, is as much about appealing to the Auckland-wide golfing community, as it is about a local park solution.

Both he and the chair of the local board Peter Haynes talk of the needs of today's and future children, to back their opposing visions.

A pointer to future Tamihere policy launches, is his alignment with perceived underdog voices.

Turning up on Sunday to speak at the launch were the Save Chamberlain Park group, and the Eden Park Residents' Association, both of which have felt their hopes are not being met by the council.

For every voice which finds an ally in Tamihere's campaign, how many will be unconvinced?