Ngā kaitono poari ā-rohe 2025Local board candidates 2025

Aotea/Great Barrier Local Board

Independent

Candidate statement

Kia ora, In 2011, I purchased land and settled permanently in the hills of Tryphena. It marked the beginning of a natural life - more meaningful, beautiful, and fulfilling - albeit not without early hardship. My path to comfort and contentment required resilience, adaptability, motivation, and community. I am profoundly grateful to our generous Island whānau, yet equally aware of the role personal agency has played in this journey. This essential, often analytical quality - shaped by my academic background (PhD in Theoretical Chemistry) and life in diverse cultures - guides my vision and actions. The extreme rise in living costs has created unnecessary hardship, with likely damaging long-term consequences for Aotea. While no single solution will fix this, I believe in empathetic, collective agency - coming together as a community to find practical, shared responses that protect and empower our Island, Identity, and People. Community. Voice. Choice. Ben Assado

Aotea/Great Barrier Local Board

Candidate statement

My husband and I have lived on Great Barrier Island for 46 years and brought up three daughters on the island. I am an artist, and was a Counsellor, Ambulance EMT and an Administrator before I retired. I have worked in many areas i.e. education, community development, social services, sustainability, environmental restoration, and the arts. I would like Great Barrier Island to be more self sufficient and with an aging population, a growing Maori population, our isolation and more young families coming as well as our visitors and regular bach owners, I recognise that all these present unique challenges. I have a lot to learn but hope that if I am elected that people will feel comfortable coming up to me if they have concerns.

Aotea/Great Barrier Local Board

Candidate statement

Born and raised on the island I have a deep love for this community and am committed to preserving our way of life and our unique and precious natural environment. Growing up and now living and working here has allowed me to connect with the many different people of our motu and has given me a good understanding of the things that matter most to them. My priorities if elected would be to champion and further the environmental work happening across the island, facilitating the amazing volunteerism our community relies on, and to make living, working, and raising a family here more affordable and as accessible as possible. I believe our motu can set a global benchmark for sustainable, resilient, off-grid island living and hope to facilitate the people that are helping us move in this direction.

Aotea/Great Barrier Local Board

Independent

Candidate statement

Aotea Great Barrier Island has been my permanent home for over 35 years. I have spent the past 21 years representing and advocating for our island during which I have built strong, inclusive and collaborative relationships with our community and the wider Auckland Council. In this upcoming term we have many challenges to face as we commence the transition from the Hauraki Gulf Islands District Plan to the Auckland Unitary Plan; the protection and enhancement of our environment including dealing with exotic Caulerpa and marine protection whilst ensuring our community's way of life is safeguarded. We will need an experienced political voice to help guide us through the next three years. I have the time, energy and passion to give the next Local Board. Please consider my nomination and offer me your support to enhance and protect our unique island, Aotea Great Barrier.

Aotea/Great Barrier Local Board

Candidate statement

I first owned land on the Barrier in 1982, when I barged a dismantled church to Tryphena for our Little Goat property and fell in love with this place, the peace, the people, the untouched natural environment. In 2018, with the help of many talented locals, we built our permanent home in Kaitoke Lane, to where our six adult children often return and head for the surf! Since moving from architecture, I’m building a jam business based on sustainability principles, and now working with Aotea businesses to make the enterprise part of the island’s offering. I have always been involved in community organizations, e.g. Grey Lynn Community Board, and my professional experience included working on Auckland Council strategies in the Unitary Plan: infrastructure, resilience, flood protection and density. I am committed to a bold future for Aotea, advocating for the Gulf, and protecting the character of this special place. https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-heap-232453363/

Aotea/Great Barrier Local Board

Candidate statement

I am seeking a second term on the Aotea Great Barrier Local Board to continue my work in the protection of our moana and supporting economic development across the motu. I have been involved in the Hauraki Gulf Forum as the representative for Aotea, I am deputy chair on the Tai Tu Moana steering group, and am currently Acting Chair of Aotea Destination Management steering group. I am keen to continue my work in these areas, as well as supporting the work that the local board does advocating for the island, distributing grants and planning for the future. I feel continuity of our local board is important as is supporting new members through their induction while they get to be familiar with the local board and council procedures. By remaining on the board for this next term I can provide that continuity and support.

Aotea/Great Barrier Local Board

Candidate statement

I currently work at the Aotea Learning Hub and have served on the Local Board for the past three years. My family has lived here on Great Barrier Island for seven generations. There are many aspects of our island that make it special; from our strong sense of community, to our shared struggles and the island’s unique environment. I also realise that there are many difficult and distinct challenges that face our island. These challenges can only be resolved together. I believe strongly in dedicated support for our community groups who tend to the needs of our community. To help face these challenges and to strengthen what makes our island special, I would once more offer my nature as a calm, honest and dependable individual who strives to see our island improve. I would love to receive your vote and it would be an honour to represent this community again.

Aotea/Great Barrier Local Board

Independent

Candidate statement

I’m Nikki Watts, I’ve proudly called Aotea, Great Barrier home since 2002. Over the years, I’ve raised five children here and balanced family life with running local businesses. I’m standing for local board because I believe decisions made should reflect and respond to the needs of the communities they serve. I’ve been an active member of our community for many years, supporting Playcentre, volunteering on the board of trustees for our primary school, aotea education trust and community initiatives. I’ve believe in giving back. I’m passionate about listening to people from all walks of life and ensuring every voice is heard when decisions are being made. Education is something I value, its the foundation of strong, resilient communities. I’m committed, approachable, and deeply rooted in this island. If elected, I’ll bring a strong sense of care, local knowledge, and a genuine desire to shape positive outcomes for everyone on Aotea.