Ngā kaitono poari kaitiaki raihana ā-waipiro 2025Licensing trust candidates 2025

Portage Licensing Trust (Ward No. 1 - Auckland City)

Independent

Candidate statement

I’m Marcus Amosa, the current President of the Portage Licensing Trust and Chair of the Avondale Business Association. As a proud Avondale local, I’m not afraid to challenge outdated thinking. I believe in reform, in questioning the status quo, and in building a Trust that better reflects the expectations of our community. I believe the Trust must continue to reform to stay relevant by creating a more efficient structure with cost-effective operations that deliver better hospitality and more community giveback. I know lasting change comes from working together and embracing the diverse views around the table. As a father to a young family, I’m passionate about making sure the Trusts are set up for the future. If you believe it’s time for the Trusts to do more for our community, vote Amosa, Farmer and Matafai.

Portage Licensing Trust (Ward No. 1 - Auckland City)

Voice of the People

Candidate statement

My Husband Paul and I are standing for Portage Licensing Trust as independents under our own brand of 'Voice of the People'. We have no affiliations to any of the political parties and will bring an independent oversight and perspective to Portage Licensing Trust decision making. We are both committed Christians and treat everyone equally with love, compassion and empathy, and we are called to have 'no Fear'. We bring many terms of previous service on the Portage Licensing Trust, so we know how it works. Trusts have been dominated by political party ideologies for decades and are not questioned as they should be. Grants monies should be delivered fairly and openly so we can all see who has not only received grants but also who have applied unsuccessfully. After all those donations come from across all of our community and grants distribution should be open, accountable and without favour.

Portage Licensing Trust (Ward No. 1 - Auckland City)

Voice of the People

Candidate statement

My Wife Kathryn and I are standing for the Portage Licensing Trust as independents under our own brand of 'Voice of the People'. We have no affiliations to any of the political parties and will bring an independent oversight and perspective to Portage decisions. We are both committed Christians and treat everyone equally with love, compassion and empathy. We bring many terms of previous service on the Portage Licensing Trust, so we know how it works. Trusts have been dominated by political party ideologies for decades and have not produced productive decision making for our communities. Grants monies are not necessarily delivered to groups based on their positive and constructive contributions to our communities. We will hold bureaucratic influences on decision making to account, such as, restricting local sports groups funding which have a positive influence in our community while funding other groups based on ideological and or political favour.

Portage Licensing Trust (Ward No. 1 - Auckland City)

Independent

Candidate statement

I am committed to ensuring The Portage Licensing Trust returns funds to our communities in ways which enable local volunteers to build connected networks that are responsive to population growth and change. I am asking for your vote to recommend grants prioritizing our community groups and schools. My professional background is in librarianship and social research. I have many years' experience working for the benefit of our neighbourhoods as an elected Whau local board member. Because my home is in Avondale, where I grew up and attended local schools, I have extensive knowledge of local needs and aspirations. I advocate for the responsible sale of alcohol and sustainable financial management of the Trust's amenities, paying staff The Living Wage and finding efficiencies to increase profit returns to our communities. If you believe it's time for the Trusts to do more for our community, please vote Farmer, Amosa and Matafai.

Portage Licensing Trust (Ward No. 1 - Auckland City)

City Vision

Candidate statement

I'm proud to be born and raised in West Auckland. I've represented New Zealand at the Olympics, worked as a DJ on George and Base FM, and spent over 20 years running businesses in building and tourism. For more than 30 years, I've worked hard for our community - teaming up with council and local Māori, pushing for better homes and buildings, protecting our trees and green spaces, and making our streets safer. I believe in using money wisely. That's why I support keeping alcohol profits in our community - to fund things like local sports, health, and youth programs. I also believe in reducing alcohol harm, especially to protect our young people. I'll keep working for a safer, stronger, greener West Auckland. Please vote for me and the City Vision team - keep the Trust that supports our people, not private profits.

Portage Licensing Trust (Ward No. 1 - Auckland City)

Candidate statement

I am standing as an Independent candidate. I have lived in Avondale for 28 years and my now adult children attended the local schools, participated in local sports and clubs, and I have seen first-hand what can be achieved in their lives through these organisations. I have worked in nationwide charities in senior finance and management roles and can use these skills to help grow our local communities with their diverse peoples, cultures and walks of life. Along with my family I have volunteered in local sports, schools and environmental groups in the Whau, spent 10 years on Avondale Primary School Board and have seen how these groups grow and enrich the whole community. I will work with the Trust to support and improve the community in the most effective way.

Portage Licensing Trust (Ward No. 1 - Auckland City)

Trusts Action Group

Candidate statement

My family and I love calling Avondale home. Like many others, we were naive to the Trusts model when we moved here eight years ago. I'm standing with the Trusts Action Group because I want to end the Trusts’ monopoly, provide more choice, and enable smaller, boutique bars in our neighbourhood - perhaps even opportunities for local gigs. I also want to see fewer pokies in our community. I'm not anti-Trusts. I believe they can still give back meaningfully, even without the monopoly.

Portage Licensing Trust (Ward No. 1 - Auckland City)

Independent

Candidate statement

I believe locals are the best representatives for our local investments and growth. Born and bred in Rosebank/Avondale, I am a former Avondale College Board member and Whau Local Board elected member, where I established the Whau Youth Board. Currently I am the current Co-Chair of Auckland Council's Pacific Peoples Advisory Panel, a trustee of the Whau Pasifika Trust, Chair of the Pasifika Festival at Western Springs and serve as a Justice of the Peace for New Zealand. With my local lived experience, extensive governance track record, and education - including an MBA (Master of Business Administration) from AUT, Postgrad in Law, and a BA double major from the University of Auckland - I humbly seek your support to represent 'us' on the Portage Licensing Trust. If you believe it is time for the Trusts to do more for our community, please vote Matāfai, Farmer, and Amosa.

Portage Licensing Trust (Ward No. 1 - Auckland City)

Candidate statement

Born in Auckland I am an experienced senior manager who has managed the liquor licensing function for Councils and developed liquor accords to promote the responsible sale and consumption of liquor. I am committed to maximizing community benefit from the return of surplus profits back to the community. I am based in Mount Albert and currently practice as a resource management consultant and hearing commissioner. I have experience working with community groups which seek to improve community welfare. I hold a Bachelor of Commerce and Master of Regional & Resource Planning degree.

Portage Licensing Trust (Ward No. 1 - Auckland City)

City Vision

Candidate statement

I’m a passionate advocate for thriving communities, with a strong background in education, governance and Tiriti-based leadership. A former teacher, I now serve on the Board of MOTAT and as Chair of Playcentre Aotearoa, supporting more than 14,000 whānau across the country. As Principal Advisor to the Independent Māori Statutory Board, I worked to improve Council systems to better serve Māori and our communities. The Portage Licensing Trust plays a key role in managing community-owned assets and returning profits to benefit local people. I’m proud to stand with a team who successfully secured the Living Wage for all our hospitality and retail staff. We are committed to building a fairer, community-focused future. I lead with integrity, strategic thinking and a deep commitment to whānau and grassroots development. I’ll advocate for kaupapa-driven, accountable decisions that reflect the aspirations of our communities. Please vote for me and the City Vision team.

Portage Licensing Trust (Ward No. 1 - Auckland City)

City Vision

Candidate statement

I'm a current member of the Portage Licensing Trust, and I’m passionate about keeping it community-owned. This year, I’ve helped grant $1M to great community projects from Blockhouse Bay to Waterview and beyond - and I want that support to grow next year. The Trusts reduce alcohol harm through responsible management of Liquorland and Super Liquor stores, and the alcohol section in Pak’nSave Mt Albert. We also have hospitality venues and I’m looking forward to opening our Beerspot in New Lynn soon. We must ensure all staff earn a fair, living wage. I’ve led school boards, the Local Board, and served on other local trusts. As a nurse, I care about people being safe, healthy, and connected in our neighbourhoods. I make good decisions that improve the lives of locals. I want a smart business focus with a community heart. Please vote for me and the City Vision team.