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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.
Caitlyn Dulcie SMYTHE
Candidate for Papakura Local Board
#LovePapakura
Candidate statement
Caitlyn is a Team Leader at Conservation Volunteers NZ, dedicated to restoring water quality along the 63km Papakura Stream. Caitlyn lives in Takaanini, attended Rosehill College, attained her double-major postgraduate Degree in English and Media. From age eight she played netball at Bruce Pulman Park, a classically-trained ballet dancer, orchestral viola musician, Polyfest cultural group leader and streetdancer in the NZ dance battling community. While a Teachers Learning Assistant, her young students inspired Caitlyn to pursue modelling with an environmental focus. Crowned Miss Earth NZ 2023, Caitlyn continues as a NZ representative globally with the intent of being a positive role model. Through wide-ranging experience, from environmental leadership to the arts and youth advocacy, Caitlyn brings a strong, credible voice for our young people; those who will live with today’s decisions tomorrow. Papakura needs Caitlyn at the decision-making table. Two Council votes Joseph Allan, Cunningham-Marino. Six Local Board votes #LovePapakura.
Why I want to be elected
Caitlyn has a passion and concern for our youth to be active, involved and heard pertaining to local matters that are important to them. Caitlyn wishes to be a bridge between youth and the council so that youth become better informed, engaged and proactive in our community. Caitlyn intends to promote and advocate for the betterment of the environment where we empower the people in our region to take action for nature in their communities. Caitlyn wishes to represent the voice of young people.
My key skills and qualities
Caitlyn brings her English and Media qualifications to this role together with her ability to listen, to understand local issues in order to draft possible actions, outcomes and solutions. Her communication skills will enable her to articulate and dialogue with various stakeholders and service providers with empathy to resolve issues that affect people.
My top three key issues
Caitlyn's top three issues include: 1. Youth voices are underrepresented. 2. Clear and robust guidelines for mana whenua, developers and local stakeholders to collaborate together when designing infrastructure strategies and action plans respecting the environment with accountability. 3. Drafting actions to address the unresolved local issues the Takaanini community are frustrated about due to lack of actions and resolutions, namely the Takaanini community hall.
My position on key topics
Transport
Caitlyn's priority aligns with #LovePapakura's to provide more funding when forming decisions for Local Boards. This includes the restructure of Auckland Transport to deliver safety and maintenance that meet local needs. There is a need to fix broken footpaths, set sensible speed limits, and improve safety around schools. It is urgent to upgrade roads, signs, and lights, promote walking and cycling, add carparks in high-density areas, curb roaming dogs, and improve street lighting.
Water
As an environmentalist, Caitlyn supports #LovePapakura's focus to protect water quality, secure supply, and upgrade stormwater and wastewater systems. There is a need to invest in resilient infrastructure to reduce flooding, improve treatment, and protect waterways. We must promote water conservation and rainwater harvesting. We will partner with mana whenua to safeguard cultural values linked to water and ensure healthy rivers and streams for future generations.
Built environment
Caitlyn believes in heritage protection and restoration to preserve local history for public access. She promotes the notion of 'A sponge city' as an urban planning concept. This aims to manage rainwater and stormwater runoff using natural and engineered systems to mimic the water-retaining and filtering capabilities of a sponge. It will help to mitigate flooding, reduce water pollution, and improve water resource management in urban areas. With #LovePapakura, reducing traffic is a top priority.
Natural environment
Caitlyn desires to protect already existing natural spaces by encouraging community planting events to restore our Papakura streamline to safeguard our eco-systems. To this end, it is necessary to make use of indigenous skills and knowledge combined with useful technology to preserve natural habitats by funding Waste Minimisation programmes with local providers. We must continue to explore the environmental impact of urban sprawl, blending community cultural roots with a future-forward lens.
Community
Caitlyn, alongside #LovePapakura, commits to provide free, fun and engaging community events to promote local talents. Our public facilities must be maintained and kept modern to cater for community events. Opportunities must also be made to develop additional recreational facilities in the community. This includes the restoration of the Takaanini Hall as a viable, modern state of the art venue. Further pushing for accessible infrastructure and transport to all disabilities and Gold card users.
Economic and cultural development
#LovePapakura will work with Town Centre Managers to deliver strong economic plans, including funding for safety initiatives. It is imperative to support and encourage further local jobs through council procurement alongside business associations, prioritising youth employment. It is necessary to promote Māori participation and ethnic group involvement, skills training, and qualification access and to encourage diverse local commercial growth.
Well-managed local government and outcomes for Māori
Caitlyn is a proud Māori young woman and with #LovePapakura, we uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi and strong partnerships with mana whenua. We back Ara Kōtui so southern Iwi voices shape local decisions. Grounded in whanaungatanga, we value ties with Iwi, Mataawaka and Papakura Marae. We support Māori-led solutions, rangatahi leadership and whānau-focused communities. We’ll advocate for housing, transport and jobs that reflect Papakura’s identity and foster belonging.
Candidate's supporting links
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