10 TO WATCH
Aucklanders on the rise in power stakes
1. Richard Hills
Councillor Hills, in his second term, has been handed the chair of the council’s new Environment and Climate Change Committee. With the arrival of Waita¯kere’s Shane Henderon he’s not now the youngest councillo but, at 33, has suddenly become a critical senior member of Goff ’s team. With a comprehensive city-wide climate-change strategy to develop, he will be busy. Hills won a strong majority in his North Shore ward. His colleague Alf Filipaina, of Manukau, will chair the new Community Committee, giving him the chance to bring much-needed material improvements to the south.
2. Viv Beck
Chief executive of central city business association Heart of the City and chair of the council’s City Centre Advisory Board, Beck has gained the clout to demand more and better from the council, and is likely to use it. Whispers have started that she might run for office.
3. Daniel Newman
If there’s a leader of the opposition on the council, it’s Papakura’s Daniel Newman. He scored wins over Mayor Goff last term and remains outside the Goff tent. He’ll be assessing his strategy for the new term right now.
4. Deborah Russell
Labour’s MP for New Lynn has rare and muchneeded expertise in the caucus: she’s a tax accountant. If they win again, expect to see Deborah Russell as a minister. Expect that for Mt Roskill MP Michael Wood too.
5. Nikki Kaye
On the other hand, if National wins the election, there’ll be a very high place on the front bench for education expert Nikki Kaye. Watch for East Coast Bays’ Erica Stanford to move up too.
6. John Tamihere
The failed mayoral candidate and former cabinet minister John Tamihere has hinted strongly that he may make another run for parliament. He has his eye on Ta¯maki Makaurau and the Ma¯ori Party, but they haven’t said they want him yet.
7. Josephine Bartley Maungakiekie-T¯amaki councillor Josephine Bartley is valued by colleagues for her heartfelt approach to politics and a delicious wit. She’ll be prominent this term.
8. Angela Dalton
New councillor Angela Dalton of Manurewa is close to Daniel Newman, but she’s also committed to constructive engagement. Winning her respect and support will be a key to stability for Mayor Goff this term.
9. David Seymour
Act came close to winning a second seat in the 2017 election and next year, for party leader and sole MP David Seymour, it will be all or nothing. He displayed tremendous skill to shepherd his End of Life Choice bill through Parliament. Now, if party deputy Beth Houlbrooke joins him in Parliament and that helps National over the line, he’s a shoo-in for the Cabinet. If he wants it.
10. Chris Luxon
He’s not going to take over the National Party leadership anytime soon, but he’s a born leader, has a safe seat, and is going to shake up that caucus. To what end, we don’t yet know.