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Felicity Jane AUVA'A
Candidate for Papakura Local Board
Papakura Action Team
Candidate statement
Felicity is a long-time Papakura resident, raised locally and currently teaching music/arts at Papakura Normal School. Married with four adult children, she is committed to building a vibrant, family-friendly future for Papakura. She brings 40 years' experience across local governance, small business ownership, community events (including conducting Carols in the Park), sports team management, and social services. Her governance service includes six years as a Papakura District Councillor, nine years on the Papakura Local Board, and trustee roles at St Mary's and Hingaia Peninsula Schools. Felicity values both vision and delivery. She championed land for Opaheke and Hingaia's sports parks, backed projects like the local art gallery, Walters Road footpath, intergenerational fitness stations, Elizabeth Campbell upgrades, and protection of Kirk's Bush, Pahurehure Inlet and Pukekiwiriki Pā. Felicity supports retaining weekly rubbish collections, championed by Councillor Newman to protect Papakura's public health and cleanliness. Vote Felicity Auva'a and all Action Candidates.
Why I want to be elected
Felicity raised, educated, and working in Papakura (pt/tm music teacher Papakura Normal School), is on the local board & brings 40 years’ experience in local governance, business, community events, sports team management, and social services. Married with four adult children raised in Papakura she is deeply committed to securing a vibrant, family-friendly future. "I will continue the good progress made with our sports and recreational facilities & progress a T2/bus lane along Takanini straight."
My key skills and qualities
Felicity brings 20 years’ experience in local governance as a District Councillor (6 years), Local Board Member (9 years, including Deputy Chair), small business owner, and Board of Trustees (St Mary’s Catholic & Hingaia Peninsular schools). Felicity understands the importance of vision and delivery. She has great knowledge of her community and works with key stakeholders to ensure Papakura thrives through being connected and active and encourages the arts and use of creative talents.
My top three key issues
Supports fully economic development to bring economic growth and gives priority to enhancing the town centre. As an Action team member, she supports the retention of weekly rubbish and review of the inorganic collection. Advocates for off road shared cycleways and good transport links north and south bound with both rail and bus. Maintaining and monitoring our services and facilities to an appropriate standard and protection of our coastline and natural bush assets.
My position on key topics
Transport
As a current Local Board member, I have advocated for off-road shared cycleways and good transport links North and South bound with Rail, Bus, and AT local. Removing the unsafe cycle way on Takanini straight is a key priority. Advocated to revive the Greenways Plan. Having interconnected walking and cycling links ensures our Papakura community has a well-connected area where it's easy to move around. I advocated for park and rides around our local train stations to ease traffic congestion.
Water
Our Papakura community is contracted to Veolia and bound by this particular agreement. In this current term I have assisted local residents with Veolia processes due to technology changes in billing which impacted our community significantly.
Built environment
Papakura’s rapid population growth and the new infill high-density housing policies are straining residential areas. With limited parking provisions cars are pushed onto berms and streets, while scarce play and green spaces raise social concerns. We must advocate to the Governing Body to revise parking and infill housing policy to support better urban planning. Major policy changes, however, rest with Central Government. I value protecting our heritage buildings like Old Central School.
Natural environment
The LB is committed to protecting our unique environment and working with mana whenua as kaitiaki, we aim to restore waterways and ecosystems, expand tree canopy, and support Pest Free and Urban Ngahere projects. By reducing waste, improving air and water quality, and creating community gardens, we’ll strengthen climate resilience, support food security, and ensure our parks, harbour, and streams remain healthy, and accessible. Protecting Pahurehure inlet and Kirks Bush are my key interests.
Community
Papakura’s strength is its diversity, and we want connected, active, and healthy communities investing in quality facilities, parks, and open spaces that meet changing needs, while supporting cultural, sporting, and arts venues like the Hawkins Theatre, Museum, The Leisure Centre, Massey Park and pools, libraries and art gallery. By tackling barriers to participation, improving digital access, and making facilities multi-purpose and sustainable, we can grow inclusion, and community wellbeing.
Economic and cultural development
Boosting economic growth in Papakura is vital as Auckland Council spends little in Papakura. Advocating for a Local Economic Broker would be helpful to create personalised economic plans for Papakura. e.g when 'FIFA' used McLennan Park to deliver training facilities for the Women's World Cup, the substantial investment in infrastructure will be used by our Papakura community for years to come. Promoting arts, events, tourism, and cultural events, we'll attract visitors and investment.
Well-managed local government and outcomes for Māori
Our local board have been instrumental in developing strong relationships with local Mana Whenua to ensure Māori outcomes are delivered within our community. Some Mana Whenua-led initiatives are Te Koiwi Reserve and Waterways enhancement, Pukekiwiriki Paa Joint Management Committee, (where the staircase access to the Pa Site was completed), Matariki celebrations and funding local Māori-led programmes throughout Papakura including the Te Kete Rukuruku (dual naming of parks programme). Vote Action
Candidate's supporting links
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