23 Jul 2016

Auckland's left targets old politics in campaign launch

6:33 pm on 23 July 2016

A left-leaning group backing Phil Goff for Auckland mayor has launched its local body campaign, saying the city cannot go back to 'small-thinking, do-nothing' politics.

Phil Goff

City Vision is backing Phil Goff for Auckland mayor. Photo: RNZ / Todd Niall

The left-leaning political ticket for Central Auckland, City Vision holds two seats on the council as well as majorities on several local boards.

A coalition of Labour, the Greens and others in the central suburbs, it is backing Phil Goff for the mayoralty.

Its launch focused on what it said were a balance of major issues in the city.

The election included a region-wide push by the National Party-backed Auckland Future, and City Vision's Michael Wood told the launch there were clear choices such as on transport and housing.

"This election is a fulcrum election, I believe," Mr Wood said.

"This is a point at which we really go forward with progressive values for our city, or really we go back to that old Auckland-city-style, small-thinking, do-nothing, regressive type of politics.

"And we really can't afford that in Auckland."

City Vision holds two seats on the council as well as majorities on several local boards.

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