Voters are Interesting
For all the campaigning, for all the stories, for all the Tweets on Council’s reputation being at 15% us JAFA’s sure know how to protest – by electing the exact same Council make up as it was under Len Brown in 2013-2016.
The split between progressives and the harder Right-Wing remains at 14-7 for Goff as it was under Len. The Spinoff summed it up the best:
The status quo
Aucklanders, who apparently hate their council to the tune of a 15% satisfaction rate, voted for almost the exact same council as last time. Only two of last term’s crop of councillors got voted out – Penny Webster and Calum Penrose. All the other new additions came due to councillors opting not to stand again. Is it that we’re addicted to misery? Or are things not actually as bad as we think?
……
Progressives:
- Walker
- Watson
- Darby
- Hills (if he hangs on to his lead)
- Lee
- Casey
- Hulse (possible Deputy Mayor again)
- Cooper
- Clow
- FILIPAINA
- Collins
- Sir John Walker
- Cashmore
- Goff (Mayor)
Conservatives:
- Sayers
- Simpson
- Fletcher
- Krum
- Quax
- Stewart
- Newman
https://voakl.net/2016/06/16/citizens-not-happy-with-council-performance-aklpols/
I think the above chart is telling in a lot of things.
Goff’s first test will be by the end of the year when he has to put up his first Budget. Will be interesting to see how that goes.
Talking Southern Auckland 
Newman and Stewart I Know are former Manukau City Councillors and although I consider Stewart probably the weakest sitting councillor (she’s not given or trusted with any responsibility and she is very low key/safe) I don’t consider either of them conservatives.
Answer this then:
Will Newman vote along with the other 14 on Budget and Policy Lines or join the other 6 and oppose just about everything ?
Telling in that map is the omission of Waiheke.
There is only a contradiction if you think the councillors and the council are always one and that same. They are not. A lot of important council functions are ring fenced from political control.
That is most true.
That said however, Panuku Development Auckland is looking for a new CEO and the Auckland Transport CEO is due to be replaced in the New Year.
So some possible shake ups coming.