Full house for second Dunedin mayoral forum

The hall was jam-packed and the questions were pointed at the second Dunedin mayoral forum last night.

It was the turn of the residents of Maori Hill and surrounds to host the 11 candidates, all of whom turned up to the event at a Maori Hill Community Centre that could have held no more than the about 120 who crammed in.

Chairman Barry Kelk gave each candidate five minutes to put their case, resulting in 55 minutes of life stories, general positions on issues and the successes of sitting councillors, presented from prepared notes.

That gave candidates full opportunity to develop concepts like community involvement and sustainability, use words  such as  "parenthood" and appeal to voters’ concerns for tomorrow’s generations  as they promised what one described as ‘‘the hope of a better future’’.

"They’re not giving you much to write about," one woman muttered.

"Blah blah blah," said another after one speaker finished a speech.

The audience was then given the opportunity to ask questions.

A woman asked Barry Timmings what his actual policies would be for economic growth.

Mr Timmings said he had "lots and lots of ideas" and  talked about a business that had opened in the city.

Another audience member asked how he would attract such businesses.

"What would you do?"

Mr Timmings said it was important to engage with such businesses and make sure they knew about Dunedin.‘‘So, how?’’ the man asked.

Mr Timmings said that would be done through Enterprise Dunedin, and finally said he was happy to discuss his ideas after the meeting.

Lee Vandervis was asked why he did not turn up to a meeting on sustainability and the environment on Wednesday night, and had not responded to a request to do so.

He was asked if he cared enough or at all about the future of the children of the world.Cr Vandervis said he did not see an email inviting him — he knew not why — but he drove a zero emission car, and he told his questioner he would not find a more environmentally active person.

"I am your actual eco-warrior."

A woman asked him how he would build consensus if he were mayor.

Cr Vandervis, who earlier said you could trust nobody in politics, said he would not need a team, and talked of cronyism at the council, as Mr Cull looked on with a bemused look on his face.

Mr Kelk stepped in and told him to answer the question.

"What would you do?"

Cr Vandervis said he would bring balanced agendas to the council so matters could be properly  debated.

david.loughrey@odt.co.nz