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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.
Harry FATU TOLEAFOA
Candidate for Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board
Labour
Candidate statement
Harry Fatu Toleafoa is an enrolled Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand, holding a Master of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts. He is a proud New Zealand-born Samoan from Vaigalu, Lepā and Vaie'e, Sāfata. Harry lives in Māngere with his young family and has spent the past eight years serving as a legal and community advocate at the Māngere Community Law Centre. Elected in 2019 as the youngest member of the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board, Harry brings extensive governance experience through roles with The Fono (health), Māngere Budget Services Trust (financial capability), and Oceania Careers Academy (education). He also chairs the Ngā Manga o Māngere community network. Recent achievements include the David Lange Park upgrade, establishing an economic development fund, and supporting the creation of a local flood evacuation centre. Harry is standing again to champion better housing, quality amenities, youth empowerment and economic opportunity.
Why I want to be elected
1. I care deeply about our community and its future. 2. I bring governance, legal, and advocacy skills that will benefit our people. 3. I am committed to empowering residents to understand local government and how it can better serve them. 4. I want our local board to set the standard and re-imagine how we deliver, educate and empower our communities.
My key skills and qualities
1. Listening and Understanding – I take time to hear our community’s concerns and ensure their voices guide decisions. 2. Legal Advocacy – My legal training and advocacy skills help protect rights and achieve fair outcomes. 3. Governance Experience – I have proven leadership and governance expertise across boards and trusts. 4. Lived and Relevant Experience – I understand our community’s realities because I share them.
My top three key issues
1. Economy – I want to leverage local industries and create opportunities that ease the cost of living, ensuring our families can thrive. 2. Infrastructure – I am passionate about driving long-term development, housing, and transport that meet the needs of our growing community. 3. People – I care about securing quality amenities and services so our people have safe, vibrant spaces to live, work, and connect.
My position on key topics
Transport
1. Transport Equity – Ensure our community gets fair and sufficient coverage in public transport services. 2. Free Public Transport – Explore options that alleviate the cost of living from substantial travel costs. 3. Better Transport Options – Evaluate and improve current services/modes of transports (bus, cycling, walking) so they are reliable, affordable, and meet community needs.
Water
1. Invest in Infrastructure – Ensure ongoing investment in water infrastructure to meet future demand. 2. Advocate for Our Community – Better leverage the targeted water rate so our people see real benefits. 3. Te Ao Māori Perspective – Promote a shared understanding of water as a taonga, recognising our responsibility to protect and care for it.
Built environment
1. Housing & Density – Support growth along main transport corridors where it makes sense and serves our people. 2. Integrated Infrastructure – Ensure development is matched with the right infrastructure, guided by our Area Plan. 3. People-Centred Development – Growth must create pathways to homeownership, protect heritage, and avoid gentrification that pushes locals out.
Natural environment
1. Partnership with Hau Kāinga and Mana Whenua – Listen and work alongside them as stewards of our environment. 2. Fair Share of Natural Environment Targeted Rate – Advocate to ensure our community benefits from this investment. 3. Climate Resilience – Improve tree canopy coverage and embed climate-resilient practices to help our community meet the challenges of climate change.
Community
1. Listen and Empower – Truly listen to the community and step aside when they are best placed to lead. 2. Humility in Leadership – Acknowledge we don’t have all the answers, and value local knowledge. 3. Resource the Community – Continue to resource and support our people, enabling them to deliver council functions where appropriate.
Economic and cultural development
1. Leverage the Airport Precinct – Maximise opportunities from the airport area to benefit our community. 2. Economic Brokerage – Use the economic broker to facilitate jobs and turn opportunities into tangible benefits for local businesses and residents. 3.Support Local Growth – Fund the Economic Development Fund to stimulate sustainable economic development and innovation.
Well-managed local government and outcomes for Māori
1. Listen and Collaborate – Engage closely with Hau Kāinga and Mana Whenua to understand their perspectives. 2. Empower Leadership – Enable them to lead initiatives that benefit their communities. 3. Invest Locally – Support local boards in directing resources into the Auckland Future Funds for long-term community benefit.
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.