Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Auckland voting pattern shifts in final days

Updated at 7:05 am on 6 October 2010

A shift in voting patterns could be taking Auckland's mayoral battle to a close finish.

Among the big voting areas, the highest turnout has swung from territory favouring Len Brown to suburbs considered strong for his rival John Banks.

Last week the strongest voting had come from suburbs in Manukau city such as Otara and Papatoetoe.

The latest daily count, however, has seen the biggest surge in the central area of Orakei, seen as core John Banks territory.

Orakei turnout has topped 39%, with the big South Auckland suburbs ranging from 38% in Papatoetoe to 34% in Manurewa.

Overall Auckland turnout is 10% up on the last election and returning officer Dale Ofsoske expects the final rate to be 45% - 50%.

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