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
Apulu Reece Autagavaia is a trained lawyer and is currently elected to the Otara-Papatoetoe Local Board as Chair. Reece is a proud, born and bred South Aucklander. He is an enrolled lawyer, married, and has two sons. He was raised in the Samoan Methodist Church. Reece and his wife currently attend Elim Church South. They love serving their church, family and community. Reece graduated with a Law degree from the University of Auckland. He started his legal career at large city litigation firms and practiced Maori Land law and Treaty claims in Manukau. He has extensive governance experience having sat on the Problem Gambling Pacific board, school Boards of Trustees and the Aganu'u Fa'asamoa 101 trust. Reece has astute analytical and advocacy skills which he is honoured to continue to use to serve the Otara community. He is proud to represent Otara, the Home of the Brave! #VoteAutagavaia #VoteLabour #TransformOtara
Why I want to be elected
Born and raised in South Auckland, I know our people, our challenges, but especially our potential. I’m proud to have served Ōtara and the wider Local Board area, and I’m committed to building on the progress we’ve made. I bring experience, skill, passion, and a deep local understanding to every decision. South Auckland is in my blood—I will continue to be a strong voice at the table, pushing for positive change and real results for our community. #VoteAutagavaia #TransformOtara #HomeOfTheBrave
My key skills and qualities
As an enrolled lawyer with experience in top law firms and on major boards, I bring strong governance and leadership skills. I have also served on community trusts and school boards of trustees. I can read hundred page reports and distill important points. But above all, I’m a proud Samoan, Christian, and father of two, raised in Aotearoa. I bring the values of South Auckland—compassion, respect, and persistence—to every decision-making table, ensuring our communities are heard and uplifted.
My top three key issues
My priorities are: 1) delivering the Manukau Sports Bowl upgrades our community helped shape, including new athletics track and/or new indoor sports facilities; 2) creating a vibrant Papatoetoe Community Hub in Old Papatoetoe, to connect and celebrate our people; and 3) transforming Ōtara Town Centre, which deserves the same investment and pride seen elsewhere. We deserve better! I'm passionate about fair investment, strong community spaces, and creating opportunities for our next generation.
My position on key topics
Transport
My priority is making roads safer around our schools to protect our tamariki. As parents, we all want to ensure our kids get home safe everyday, using whatever transport mode they use to get to and from school. I’ll keep pushing for free or more affordable public transport—our community is hit hardest by the cost of living. If projects like congestion charging go ahead, I’ll fight to ensure South Auckland isn’t unfairly impacted and that equity is at the heart of every transport decision.
Water
Watercare spent $1.5 billion on the Central Interceptor that will send wastewater to South Auckland. Ōtara-Papatoetoe faces serious infrastructure challenges, and we need the same level of investment and commitment to upgrade our stormwater, wastewater, and water supply systems. Our communities deserve fair and future-proofed water management.
Built environment
Auckland’s growth needs smart planning. Intensification should happen near public transport and jobs—not on floodplains or fertile land. Without this, our people, our families risk being pushed to the city’s edges, facing longer commutes and less connection to our places of work, play and worship. I’ll fight for development that works for our communities, not against them
Natural environment
Our area has some of the lowest tree cover in Auckland, making us vulnerable to extreme weather and health impacts. I’ll keep pushing for more tree planting, restoring the Puhinui Stream, expanding Enviroschools and increasing the number of teaching and community gardens, and cleaning up the Ōtara lake and waterways. Our natural spaces are key to climate resilience and community wellbeing.
Community
We run powerful programs—from youth leadership to elder support, digital literacy to cultural tours, and backing locals who shine in arts, sports, and academia. These build strong, connected communities. With proposed funding cuts to Local Boards by the Mayor, I’ll fight to protect and grow these vital services that uplift and unite our people.
Economic and cultural development
Safe, vibrant town centres are key to strong local economies. I’ll keep working with our smaller centres on safety initiatives and support events that draw people in. We've increased funding for local economic development and proudly celebrate our cultural heritage through festivals like Lantern Festival and PolyFest. There is strength in our diversity—and opportunity too.
Well-managed local government and outcomes for Māori
I support stronger Māori representation and co-governance, and we’ve worked closely with Mana Whenua on local decision-making. We must honour our Te Tiriti obligations. I opposed the sale of our airport shares—assets once owned by Manukau residents—and will fight to ensure any proceeds benefit South Auckland. I do not support selling Ports of Auckland or public assets that belong to us all. Our communities deserve long-term investment, not short-term gain.
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.