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

Portage Licensing Trust (Ward No. 2 - New Lynn)

Candidate statement

Kia ora. I love this area we call home, and I care about having community input on things that directly impact all of us. I believe the Trusts must continue to play a socially responsible role in West Auckland. My experience in communications, advocacy, and community support will be beneficial in ensuring our voice is heard on the responsible sale of alcohol in the Portage area and in returning profits to our community. Honouring the Trust's goal of reinvesting $5 million into our communities by 2028 is key to this. The next three years are the period of delivering on that promise. We are currently far short of this, and we must work hard to deliver on that promise, as our community groups need that support in tight financial times. Values matter, communities matter, and community voices matter. Vote Michael Bain to be your voice on the Portage Licensing Trust.

Portage Licensing Trust (Ward No. 2 - New Lynn)

Independent

Candidate statement

Re-Elect current trustee Rob Hulse for continued progress and improvement. Experienced in hospitality operations with a corporate career, presently Fonterra. Rob has been the center of delivering better accountability, better hospitality and safer stores for the Trusts. As a board director alternate Rob has brought business strategy and budget awareness giving oversight to spending and delivering community funding. Rob is committed to the Trusts being a community asset that gives back. He is focused on growing hospitality like the soon to open New Lynn Beer Spot, and long-term business success. He supported lowering elected members remuneration to help protect living wage for our retail employees. Rob lives with his partner and 3 children in New Lynn. Connected into the community through schools Kaurilands and Glen Eden, sports Suburbs Cricket and Bay Olympic. Rob understands the role Trusts can play strengthening our communities. Better Hospitality. More community give back. Safer Stores.

Portage Licensing Trust (Ward No. 2 - New Lynn)

Trusts Action Group

Candidate statement

I have over 20 years’ experience working in the hospitality industry, including a range of roles with the Portage Licensing Trust - from bartender, wine steward and bottle store attendant to bar manager. I have also owned and operated two hospitality businesses. In 2000, I returned to bar work but left a duty manager role after becoming disillusioned with the growing focus on pokies, which came at the cost of creating welcoming spaces for social drinkers and diners. I believe that’s the problem with the Trusts today. I’m standing with the West Auckland Licensing Trust Action Group (WALTAG) because I support amalgamating the Trusts for greater efficiency, allowing more competition to improve hospitality for locals, and demanding more transparency in how our community’s money is used.