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
You and your family deserve a healthy environment, safe, accessible, all-age friendly public spaces and transport systems that work. As your board member, I’ll work to protect our natural environment, revive town centres, and improve transport flows. I’ll prioritise strengthening our community, supporting businesses to thrive, and protecting treasures like Tāmaki Estuary. I’ll uplift local voices and ensure Auckland’s wider planning and decision-making reflects our needs. My family goes back four generations in our ward, and I’ve been proud to call Panmure home for 17 years. As a mum and business owner with a background in law, I can put myself in many shoes while knowing what’s needed to create lasting change that benefits all. I’ve worked with community groups, businesses, public bodies, and Māori on issues from transport and infrastructure, to health and justice. I’m standing for the local board because I believe in this community and its future.
Why I want to be elected
I’ll start by listening carefully to what our people want and focus attention on fixing problems that cause frustration and concern for our community. I’ll prioritise protection of our natural environment, reviving our town centres, improving transport flows and designing future-proofed suburbs. I will also advocate for improvements to our public spaces to make them more appealing to our communities, with a particular focus on providing engaging facilities for our young people and seniors.
My key skills and qualities
As a mum, business owner, and legal professional, I have strong advocacy, collaboration, and problem-solving skills that I will bring to this role. I’ve worked with councils, government departments, communities, Māori and businesses, building a deep understanding of local issues including planning, transport and infrastructure. I will use these experiences to lead with empathy, integrity, and fairness, and bring principled, people-focused leadership that delivers for our diverse community.
My top three key issues
My key priorities are creating public spaces that are engaging, safe and inclusive (with a particular focus on town centre improvements), restoring and protecting our natural environments and designing future-proofed suburbs to meet the changing needs of our communities. I am passionate about these priorities because I believe these things will help our communities to thrive, building a stronger, more connected, and more resilient Maungakiekie-Tāmaki for us all.
My position on key topics
Transport
I support better public transport with more timely and well-connected services, as well as stops and stations that are easier to access. Safer walking and cycling routes should also be a priority. We also need efficient solutions for those using cars. We must improve ease of movement for all. I’ll also advocate for revitalised town centres where we can work, shop and socialise locally. This will help to reduce car reliance, ease congestion, support local business and improve sustainability.
Water
Aucklanders deserve clean drinking water, healthy, swimmable waterways and beaches and infrastructure that works. Recent storm and flooding events have shown the urgent need for better infrastructure to protect our homes and our environment. We need to work to replace old water infrastructure that is not working well and ensure that any new infrastructure is future proofed to meet increased demand. We also need to restore and enhance our natural waterways.
Built environment
With rapid growth and new housing developments, we have a unique opportunity to design neighbourhoods and town centres that are better connected, more sustainable and allow us to work, shop and socialise locally. Developments should include shops, parks, and community spaces, making it easier for people to access what they need close to home and reducing our heavy reliance on vehicles. At the same time, we need well-planned roads and parking to ensure safe and efficient vehicle movements.
Natural environment
We need to do further work to restore our natural environments and clean up our waterways. This includes supporting community groups, mana whenua, and schools to expand tree planting and pest management efforts. We must also reduce waste and boost recycling. This includes providing more options for households to recycle and working with business and industry to reduce waste at source. We must also take urgent steps to reduce our carbon emissions, including reducing our reliance on cars.
Community
We need to make sure that everyone has access to the resources they need to thrive. If elected, I’ll work closely with our local communities to understand what they require. I’ll support inclusive, accessible facilities and safer public spaces where everyone feels welcome, advocate for youth-friendly community hubs to help our young people transition to adulthood, and support events that help to strengthen relationships between our citizens and showcase the diversity of our community.
Economic and cultural development
Town centre improvements and revitalisation projects like Unlock Panmure have the potential to make our town centres places where our communities want to shop, work and socialise locally. This will support local businesses to grow, create jobs and can provide tourism opportunities. I also think it is important to recognise our cultural heritage and record local histories in public spaces, including through signage. This can improve knowledge and understanding and create tourism opportunities.
Well-managed local government and outcomes for Māori
Council should continue to strengthen its relationship with Māori. This means building meaningful partnerships with Māori and ensuring Te Ao Māori is reflected across our communities, from Māori-led cultural programs to celebrating te reo Māori, tikanga Māori and Māori narratives in our public spaces and events. The combination of these actions can help to ensure Māori have the capacity to fully engage with our Council and can increase understanding of Te Ao Māori across our communities.