New mayor subject of electoral probe

Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger’s campaign trail is under the microscope after a complaint claiming Mauger broke the rules by “treating” potential voters.

The complaint was laid by Aaron Campbell, campaign secretary for Mauger’s closest opponent, David Meates. It was submitted in September, while the mayoral campaign was ongoing.

Campbell said it originated from social media posts showing Mauger handing out “thousands” of Covid RAT tests to the public at meetings.

According to Campbell, the posts showed him going to community groups and giving away the tests, at one stage reportedly being thanked by community members for his donation. “With my campaign experience, I felt it needed questioning.

“When it’s one or two posts about it, I made a note of it and wasn’t too worried about it, but it was a pattern of behaviour.”

Campbell also submitted a complaint against Halswell ward candidate Paul Lonsdale — who he claimed also donated a number of RATS to the community.

“The candidates shouldn’t be doing this as candidates, it comes down to election integrity and that’s the question at the end of the day.”

Campbell said candidates had been made aware of election rules at a series of information evenings before the election.

“A simple example was given on the evening — if a candidate prints a pen with their name on it, they can’t give it away.”

Christchurch City Council electoral officer Jo Daly confirmed she had received two complaints in relation to treating during the campaign . Treating is when a candidate gives material incentives to people in exchange for votes.

“The candidate guidance recommends candidates don’t give any gifts, or anything along those lines during the campaign.”

The two complaints received by the electoral officer were for different candidates.

Daly wouldn’t give the names of those in question but said both were referred to the police in accordance with Section 138.

The section states police will handle an election complaint that cannot be rectified by the officer.

Lonsdale said he couldn’t comment on the complaints as the investigation was ongoing.

A spokesperson from Mauger’s campaign team also said they wouldn’t comment. “But we are very confident the campaign has not breached any treating rules,” the spokesperson said.

The police said they were not yet aware of any complaints relating to the election at this stage.