Candidates lack appetite for bylaw
The neon colours of fast food restaurants litter south Auckland’s landscape.
A short stretch of Great South Rd in Manukau alone features Burger King, Hell Pizza, Wendy’s, McDonald’s, Carl’s Jr, Pizza Hut, Noodle Canteen, KFC and more.
So it may be no surprise Counties Manukau Health labels the area ‘‘one of the world’s capitals of obesity’’.
The Manukau Courier asked five Auckland council election candidates if they’d support a bylaw restricting how close fast food restaurants can be to schools or how many can operate in a particular area.
Mayoral candidate Victoria Crone says there’s a ‘‘staggering amount’’ of fast food outlets in some south Auckland suburbs but regulating them isn’t the answer.
‘‘It needs to be wider than that. We’ve got to encourage healthier alternatives to set up shop.
‘‘They need to be affordable and we have to make them more attractive to students.’’
Mangere-Otahuhu Local Board chairwoman Lemauga Lydia Sosene says the issue of obesity in south Auckland is ‘‘very concerning’’.
But before supporting a fast food bylaw she would want information on the community’s general health and to see what a map of such outlets in the area looks like. Sosense also wants to know the bylaw’s long-term aim and how effective it would be.
Manurewa-Papakura Ward councillor Calum Penrose says he opposes introduction of such a bylaw and that it’s a central government matter.
‘‘We’re not there to regulate who can sell what in their shops.
‘‘Yes we have issues with obesity … but the council cannot control what people can and cannot eat.’’
Mayoral candidate and Orakei Local Board member Mark Thomas says the city has a ‘‘growing problem’’ with obesity.
More needs to be done on the issue with involvement from the fast food industry, he says.
‘‘Our best chance of dealing with problems like obesity is by giving children information and tools through parenting and schooling.
‘‘Those steps will be more effective than a council bylaw.’’
Manurewa Local Board chairwoman Angela Dalton says she doesn’t believe people’s eating habits can be regulated through bylaws.