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
I'm standing to serve my community. I love living in Botany at the heart of East Auckland. With nearly 20 years of business improvement experience, I've worked in large, complex organisations eliminating waste, improving delivery and cutting through bureaucracy. I'm a member of NZ Institute of Directors, with community, commercial, and council experience. I've worked hard as the Chairperson of the Local Board, providing leadership through significant challenges leading to rewarding successes. We've progressed the Flat Bush Library and Community Centre; delivered Te Taiwhanga Taiohi Youth Space; improved transparency by opening our workshops; supported Eastern Busway while opposing Burswood diversion. But there's more to do: improving communication and transparency; upgrading facilities to ensure they're fit for purpose; creating safer streets especially around schools; responding to population growth. I'll continue to be a strong advocate for our community, working collaboratively with other representatives to deliver for Botany. www.damianlight.co.nz
Why I want to be elected
I'm standing to serve my community. I love living in Botany at the heart of East Auckland. I've worked hard as the Chairperson of the Local Board, providing leadership through significant challenges leading to rewarding successes. But there’s more to do: improving communication and transparency; upgrading facilities to ensure they’re fit for purpose; creating safer streets especially around schools; responding to population growth.
My key skills and qualities
With nearly 20 years of business improvement experience, I’ve worked in large, complex organisations eliminating waste, improving delivery and cutting through bureaucracy. I’m a problem solver with an analytical mind and a genuine love for local government. I’m a member of NZ Institute of Directors, with community, commercial, and council experience. If elected, I will continue to be highly visible, results driven, and truly independent.
My top three key issues
1) Delivering the assets we need - Flat Bush Community Centre/Library and Pool/Leisure Centre top priority, but this extends to our playgrounds, sports fields, and more. 2) Increasing our transparency and accountability - we need to do more to show the public we're delivering value for money. 3) Responding to population growth - housing intensification, transport, environmental impacts must be considered and managed.
My position on key topics
Transport
1) Reliable, affordable and accessible public transport - delivering the Eastern Busway, Airport to Botany, electric ferries for Half Moon Bay 2) Safe roads with predictable travel times - road maintenance is fit-for-purpose (not just chip seal), cost effective safety around schools. 3) Connected network of walking and cycling - we don't need gold plated solutions, but we do need more transport choice. Build off the Eastern Busway walking/cycling paths.
Water
1) Continue to invest in local environmental programmes that improve water quality while measuring the results to provide evidence of progress and build on successful programmes 2) Reduce stormwater and wastewater overflows that make our beaches and waterways unswimmable. 3) Continue to invest in stormwater resilience to reduce flooding impacts and protect people and property.
Built environment
1) Sensible, quality intensification (not urban sprawl) that provides better quality of life and more cost effective services. Focused around transit and town centres. 2) Protect our natural, cultural, and historical heritage for future generations - funding must follow to ensure we maintain them appropriately (too much has been left to decay).
Natural environment
1) Sensible, quality intensification (not urban sprawl) that provides better quality of life and more cost effective services. Focused around transit and town centres. 2) Protect our natural, cultural, and historical heritage for future generations - funding must follow to ensure we maintain them appropriately (too much has been left to decay). 3) Create local emergency management resilience and capacity, building on our local board readiness and response plan.
Community
1) Continue to invest in community partnerships (like Arts Out East) that provide services and build community capacity and capability. 2) Deliver the Flat Bush Community Centre/Library and Pool/Leisure Centre - residents have waited long enough. We must fix our delivery process. 3)
Economic and cultural development
1) Continue to support our local business associations and tourism organisation to supercharge our local economy and job opportunities, especially for youth. 2) Support the introduction of a bed-night visitor levy to enable Auckland to provide the tourism opportunities that we know we can but lack the funding to deliver. 3) Celebrate and support our incredible cultural diversity and the opportunities it provides.
Well-managed local government and outcomes for Māori
1) Fix local democracy with a well considered reorganisation of local boards - 21 local boards is too many and council has proven it cannot support the volume of elected members. More empowered, properly supported local boards can do more. 2) Genuine responsiveness and engagement for Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi - not just box ticking.
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.