Wayne Brown and Kerrin Leoni. Photo: RNZ
A contender for Auckland's mayoralty is accusing incumbent Mayor Wayne Brown of cherry-picking candidate events that skew towards an older demographic.
RNZ reported this week that Mayor Wayne Brown had agreed to share the stage with Auckland councillor and mayoral candidate Kerrin Leoni at Grey Power North Shore's 'Let's Talk About Auckland' event on 19 September.
Facing the media on Thursday morning for the first time since she announced her fiscal plan, Leoni said it was not good enough that the event was the only time her and Brown were set to go head-to-head.
"It's great that he has finally accepted to do something, but I'm really disappointed that he hasn't accepted any invitations for debates so far," she said.
"There's a huge question as to why he's going with Grey Power. Is it because he's a 78-year-old man?"
Leoni said Brown was avoiding debating her directly, by opting for Grey Power's event, where candidates would each give a 7-10-minute speech and partake in an audience Q&A.
"It's an important part of the mayoral election for debates to go ahead and he's declined all of them to date. It's shocking for democracy in our city. How has he given anyone a chance to hear what his polices are?" Leoni said.
"If he wins, it will be based on name recognition or because he's an incumbent and not anything else."
She said Brown was also refusing to engage with young voters, after rejecting youth-focused debate requests.
The University of Auckland Debating Society has confirmed their event is going ahead despite only Leoni responding to its invite.
"If he [Wayne Brown] doesn't turn up that's bad luck for him. But I will definitely be there," she said.
"Auckland Grammar is another one that had to be cancelled."
Auckland Grammar School confirmed to RNZ it wanted to hold a mayoral debate this year but could not due to candidate availability.
Grey Power North Shore president Trish Deans said North Shore residents were prepared to press the candidates on important issues affecting the whole city.
"We aren't a soft option. Residents like us are polite, but come voting time we deliver a strong message to any candidate," Deans said.
"Superannuants struggle with the cost of living and rates. Wayne and Kerrin will have to convince us that their way forward will work. We want to know that within 20 years, we're not going to last that long ourselves, that we've left something valuable behind.
"We're not just a group that care about us, we care about Auckland."
A spokesperson for Brown's campaign denied he was ignoring any age group.
"Wayne is very focused on his job as Mayor and delivering for the people of Auckland," they said.
"He engages with a very wide range of groups, ages and communities in that role. He is not focusing on seeking out debating competitions."
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