New MP for first time in 23 years

Annette King’s reign has ended and the Rongotai electorate will have a new MP for the first time in 23 years.

King was a popular politician and many locals were saddened when she announced her retirement in March.

‘‘I did like her, she was involved, she knew about the electorate and she was always around,’’ retiree Elaine Lian said.

Lian is one of many Rongotai voters who believe poverty is the area’s biggest issue. She has seen the number of people on the streets grow over the past five to 10 years.

Miramar resident Tawhai Konia believed homelessness was linked to the closure of mental health facilities, including the Club House in 2014 and Mahora House last year.

Many locals were anticipating a big turnout this election and some reported queues outside the Kilbirnie library on the first day of advance voting.

‘‘It’s probably to do with the Jacinda-effect,’’ one resident said.

The high traffic congestion from the airport to the CBD was still frustrating many voters, who wanted ‘‘four lanes to the planes’’.

Eastern ward councillor Chris Calvi-Freeman believed a transport service connecting the airport, Kilbirnie, Wellington Hospital and the CBD was ‘‘well overdue’’.

‘‘The next 12 months is an important period for the city in determining the way forward for transport.’’

Almost a fifth of the Rongotai electorate use public transport to travel to and from work (18.9 per cent), the highest of any general electorate.

The Greens have said, if elected, they will build a light rail network from the airport to Newtown by 2027.

The Opportunities Party, NAP and Conservatives are also standing candidates.