Disclaimer
The information on this page has been provided by the candidates. It does not reflect the views or positions of Auckland Council.
Candidate statement
Experienced. Effective. Committed to Devonport-Takapuna. With 24 years of dedicated public service, I bring proven leadership and a relentless focus on getting results that matter. I'm a strong believer in the 'broken windows' approach - this year alone, I've submitted 359 requests to Auckland Transport to fix issues across our community. Also submitted many requests to fix issues in our parks. Fairer Funding: Devonport-Takapuna deserves better. I'll fight for our fair share to improve local services, infrastructure, and amenities. Lake Road Congestion: No more delays. I'll push for urgent upgrades and smarter traffic solutions. Flood Prevention: Our area is at risk. I'll advocate for storm water upgrades and stronger emergency response. Walkway Access: The blocked Milford-Takapuna walkway must be permanently reopened. I'll work to restore fair public access without delay. I offer experience and action this community needs. Vote George Wood and C&R, for a safer, fairer, and future-ready Devonport-Takapuna.
Why I want to be elected
I have considerable skills and practical experience working in local government. I started in 1998 and had three terms as the mayor of the former North Shore City; then two terms between 2010 & 2016 as a councillor on the Auckland Council. From 2016, I have been a local board member on the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board. I believe the knowledge I have gained will continue to be very helpful to guide a newly elected board where there will be three newly elected members from the current board.
My key skills and qualities
I have had 24 years as an elected member within Tamaki Makaurau. Before that, I was a member of the New Zealand Police for 32 years. In my last years in the Police, I was the officer in charge of the Auckland CIB fraud squad, and Area Commander of the Police on the North Shore. In my time in the Police, I spent six months at the RNZAF Command and Staff College and a residential course at the Australian Institute of Police Management in Sydney. I am a people person skilled in solving problems.
My top three key issues
Roads: Public transport is something that I am passionate about. Whilst mayor, I led the development, funding, and building of the Northern Busway. The busway has taken so many cars off the Auckland Harbour Bridge. More work is needed on public transport frequency. Rates: Funding of major projects needs to be controlled more strictly. We need to be more economical. Rubbish: Reduction in rubbish must be the key aim. We need to return to waste minimisation in our thinking like the old days
My position on key topics
Transport
A new Waitemata Harbour crossing is the highest on my list of objectives. The current 65-year-old bridge outer lanes could fail at any time. Next comes ferry services to Bayswater. There is a new terminal needed. Buses around our area need further work to ease them through the traffic. Better bus shelters are required to protect passengers. There needs to be delivery of the improvements Auckland Transport promised along Lake Rd between Hauraki Crn and Belmont & Takapuna Metro bus station.
Water
Stormwater has been put into the too-hard basket. Houses in Wairau Creek/Nile Rd need major protection from flooding. Work is taking too long. We need to be a lot more demanding. People are being kept in the dark too long. Wastewater pumping station on Wairau Rd needs urgent upgrade. I failed in the big flood of 2023 and am still in need major upgrade. Our fresh water delivery also needs more work to ensure the pipes are fit for purpose. The replacement of these pipes is taking to long.
Built environment
In recent years, I have been against the residential developments that stem from the Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS) changes to the legislation. This was a joint Labour-National change which prevented any resistance. We need to get some changes to the law, both nationally and locally to achieve better outcomes. I certainly support heritage housing in the right place by making things difficult for owners of old, broken-down buildings and structures. It isn't fair.
Natural environment
The Devonport-Takapuna Local Board has some great nature areas. Lake Pupuke is a natural wonder and needs to be protected for the future. Takaranga and Maungauika are wonderful maunga in the midst of our area. Restoring Takarunga and Hauraki (along the Devonport Peninsula) and Pupuke Birdsong do wonderful work to protect our natural environment.
Community
We changed a lot of our structures during this term and now have activators; one based in the northern areas of Takapuna, Castor Bay, Milford, Forrest Hill, and Sunnynook, and the other on the Devonport and Bayswater peninsulas. I'm proud of what we have achieved. In the area of sporting facilities, we require more basketball courts. This is something we will need to address in the coming term of the local board.
Economic and cultural development
Our shopping centres have taken a hit in the Covid-19 lockdown period and post Covid-19. Parking restrictions around the Metro and Town centres drive shoppers to the malls where there are no parking charges. This must be addressed in the next term of the board.
Well-managed local government and outcomes for Māori
As a local Board member, there isn't a lot that we can influence in this area. Decisions on the Port of Auckland and Auckland Future Fund are made by the Governing Body under the mayor and 20 councillors. We need a closer relationship with Iwi, especially Ngati Whatua o Orakei and Ngati Paoa. The storm recovery has taken far too long; we are moving up to three years since the Auckland Anniversary weekend floods.
Candidate's supporting links
These links to external websites have been provided by the candidates. The content on these websites does not reflect the views or positions of Auckland Council.