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The information on this page has been provided by the candidates. It does not reflect the views or positions of Auckland Council.
Barry JENSEN
Candidate for Howick Ward
Candidate statement
I’m a father of two and a local business owner with deep ties to East Auckland. I’ve built multiple businesses in cleaning, renovations, flooring, and off-road vehicles, and I’m running for the Howick Local Board to bring that real-world, results-driven mindset into local government. Too often, money is spread too thin and projects are left unfinished. I stand for focused funding: pick what matters and complete it properly. I’ll push for safer, cleaner streets, fix footpaths, stop illegal dumping, and fight for better value from every ratepayer dollar. I’m not here to talk politics. I’m here to get things done. You’ll get monthly updates from me. No spin, no fluff, just progress. Our community deserves leadership that’s transparent, practical, and delivers. Vote Barry Jensen – Focused Funding. Finished Projects. Finally. Let’s do it right, now!
Why I want to be elected
I’m a husband, dad and business owner who’s tired of waste and delay. Howick Ward needs fresh, common-sense leadership that gets the basics right. My promise is simple: Fix What Matters—safe roads, clean, cared-for public spaces, and value for every rates dollar. I will listen, act and report back so you always know what’s being done and why. It’s time for accountable leadership that delivers results across Botany, Flat Bush, Pakuranga, Howick and East Tāmaki. Now.
My key skills and qualities
Proven operator: I build teams, manage tight budgets and deliver on time. Owner of local businesses; used to fixing problems, not just talking. Skilled at listening, prioritising and turning plans into action. Financially disciplined, contract-savvy and outcomes-driven. Straight talker responsive and transparent. I’ll use a four-step method—Listen, Prioritise, Fix, Follow Through—to keep projects moving and people informed. Practical knowledge of maintenance, compliance and local infrastructure.
My top three key issues
1. Fix core infrastructure: roads, footpaths, drainage and public spaces maintained to a safe standard. 2) Accountability for rates: every dollar tracked to outcomes; cut waste, fund essentials first. 3) Support local business and community: remove red tape, improve safety, and back events and spaces that bring people together. My method: Listen, Prioritise, Fix, Follow Through—so you always know what’s being done, where, and by when. Across Botany, Flat Bush, Pakuranga, Howick, East Tāmaki now.
My position on key topics
Transport
Fix What Matters starts on Ti Rakau, Botany, Chapel and Reeves corridors: safer intersections, fast pothole fixes, reliable buses to Panmure and Manukau. Complete missing footpaths in Flat Bush and Pakuranga and protect cycle links to schools and the Rotary Walkway. I’ll press AT to finish the Botany interchange, expand Half Moon Bay park-and-ride, and publish local worklists so people know what’s getting fixed and when. Publish a suburb-by-suburb road/footpath worklist.
Water
Back to basics: secure supply, clean beaches, dry homes. Renew ageing pipes in Howick/Pakuranga, separate stormwater/wastewater in East Tāmaki, and clear Flat Bush drains before heavy rain. Restore wetlands and streams (Mangemangeroa, Pakuranga Creek) to slow water and cut overflows. I’ll push Watercare for street-level schedules, stage big jobs to keep bills fair, and report monthly on what’s been delivered. Get Watercare to release a ward pipe-renewal and overflow schedule residents can track
Built environment
Growth must match infrastructure. Support quality housing near Botany and Ormiston—with roads, parks and pipes funded and timed up front. Protect Howick Village's heritage and coastal character. Keep East Tāmaki freight moving with practical access improvements. I’ll push faster, clearer consents for homeowners and small businesses, require durable design, and make sure development adds to, not strains, our suburbs. Publish a list of simple, stalled works.
Natural environment
rotect Mangemangeroa Reserve, Point View and our coast. Scale up native planting along the Tāmaki Estuary and Flat Bush streams, control pests/weeds, stabilise dunes, and add shade trees on hot streets. Upgrade culverts and use green infrastructure to manage storms. Keep the Rotary Walkway clean, lit and safe year-round. I’ll publish a simple local dashboard so people can track maintenance and planting. Weed/pest blitzes at Mangemangeroa/Point View with community groups.
Community
Strong suburbs are built on daily basics: open, clean toilets; safe, repaired playgrounds; reliable libraries; well-kept fields at Lloyd Elsmore and Barry Curtis Park. I’ll devolve more budget to local boards, set a 48-hour acknowledgement standard for service requests, and publish monthly progress lists suburb-by-suburb. Back youth spaces and multicultural events that bring Howick, Pakuranga, Flat Bush and East Tāmaki together.48-hour acknowledgement standard for service requests.
Economic and cultural development
Back small business and jobs: cut red tape, speed simple permits, keep town centres cleaner/safer, and keep freight moving in East Tāmaki. Promote Howick Historical Village, Uxbridge and waterfront events to lift pride and visitors. Support apprenticeships linking Ormiston schools to trades. Where value is proven, buy local. Vibrant centres in Botany, Ormiston, Pakuranga and Howick benefit every culture and every shopfront. East Tāmaki business roundtable (month 1): freight, safety, permits etc
Well-managed local government and outcomes for Māori
Run Council like a service: clear local priorities, open contracts, monthly delivery dashboards and on-time projects. Partner with mana whenua on design and procurement, and protect sites of significance. Port dividends should transparently build a prudent Future Fund, not be wasted. For storm recovery, fix Flat Bush flood hotspots and maintain coastal defences in Howick/Pakuranga—with timelines residents can see.Public monthly dashboard: projects, dollars, timelines for Howick Ward.
Candidate's supporting links
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