Andy Spence is quizzed by resident Anne Elder on ‘Rodney Hide’s horrid Super City’ .

A candidate ‘speed-dating’ event, organised by candidate Millie Watkins’ husband Andrew, was offering people the chance to quiz a selection of the island’s confirmed 17 candidates about issues of concern.

Dorte Wray, Andy Spence, Marijke Ransom, Paul Walden, Colin Beardon, Ewen Sutherland, Millie Watkins, and present Hauraki Gulf islands’ councillor Denise Roche formed a line outside the War Memorial Hall and were kept steadily busy throughout the morning.

Each had two minutes to answer questions before the questioners were moved down the line and on to the next candidate.

Residents had the option of asking the same question or posing a different one each time.

But proceedings briefly ground to a halt with the arrival of colourfully dressed candidate Jo Holmes, who was invited by Ms Roche to join in.

Ms Holmes declined the invitation and said as she had not been originally invited to take part, she would get on with campaigning on her own.

She moved on towards the hall, clutching flyers and a bunch of purple and yellow balloons so residents could easily identify her and ask questions.

She later said she would be wearing purple and yellow throughout the campaign as they were the favourite colours of her deceased partner Isobel Hawley, and also represented independence from any main political party.

Ms Holmes said she would continue to campaign independently but did not discount the idea of being available for candidates’ meetings provided they were fairly organised.

“I am happy to be at candidates’ meetings organised by independent bodies to ensure lack of bias,” she said.

But Andrew Watkins is refuting any idea the speed-dating event was biased.

He said although he had an interest in putting on the event because his wife was a candidate, there had been no official group involved in its organisation.

“I just had the idea and passed it to those candidates I knew personally. It was Denise, though, who was organised enough to send in the news story.

“All, I emphasise all, candidates are welcome to take part if they choose to do so. They don’t even need to arrange anything beforehand – just turn up and make yourselves known to me.”

Mr Watkins added that in his opinion it was important for residents to elect a group of candidates able to work together and co-operate, “putting the work above ego”.

He will be holding another speed-dating event at the market this Saturday, 28 August from 10.30am.

Candidates at last weekend’s market (both ‘daters’ and ‘non-daters’) say they enjoyed getting more acquainted with residents and their vision for the island’s future.

Most heard a similar range of concerns.

Ones that were issue-related included the Esplanade closure, parking and the plan for Matiatia, affordable housing, roads, footpaths, signage, economic planning, and water quality.

Candidates reported there had also been interest in seeing the local board ensure the island had a voice and that it was able to make its own decisions.

“The big issue I have been hearing is the importance of making council more accountable for its spending. People are fed up with decisions affecting Waiheke being made by councillors in Auckland,” said one.

Candidates also said many of the people with whom they had spoken had stressed the importance of the island being able to retain its own identity.

Hauraki Gulf  islands’ councillor Denise Roche said she had been asked by many of her ‘daters’ how she saw the new local board working.

She said she thought the speed-dating event had been successful.

“Speed-dating is a really good way to encourage people to get out and vote and educate people about what the local board is for.” •

Diana Worthy