Ngā kaitono poari ā-rohe 2025Local board candidates 2025

Puketāpapa Local Board

C&R - Communities and Residents

Candidate statement

I hold a Master's degree in Chemistry and bring over 28 years of professional experience, including eight years as a teacher and 20 years at AssureQuality in Lynfield, where I currently work as a Scientist. My wife and I have lived in this community for decades and raised our daughter here. For over 20 years, I've been actively involved in community initiatives - from fundraising for charities to organising blood drives, sports events, and tree-planting programs. These efforts have helped me build strong connections across the Asian and wider communities. I've served as President of the NZ Telugu Association and currently sit on the Business Committee of the NZ Indian Central Association. My vision is for a strong, safe, and inclusive Puketāpapa where every voice is heard. I bring people skills, leadership, and deep community spirit to this role. Vote Bala Venu Beeram and all C&R Candidates.

Puketāpapa Local Board

City Vision

Candidate statement

Kia ora, Talofa lava, Namaste, Malo e lelei, Nǐ hǎo I care about people coming together. Whether that is at the local playground, the schools, gyms, pools, the library, sports clubs, faith communities, the local community centres or at the local park chatting while your dog has a run. Throughout the last 9 years living in Roskill South, I’ve established a community garden, I’ve been a strong advocate during the housing developments and I’ve been behind the scenes setting up for community events. I’m putting up gazebos and picking up the rubbish at the end. I waded through the floods and I remember how long it took to dry our garage carpets. I’ve spent the last 20 years as a youth worker in a range of roles. I represent experienced advocacy for issues our neighbourhood cares about. City Vision and I will listen to your concerns and represent you well.

Puketāpapa Local Board

City Vision

Candidate statement

I was born, raised, and continue to live in Puketāpapa. Growing up in this community I have witnessed first-hand the impact of living in a strong, kind, and supportive community. I'm standing because I want young people in our community to have a voice on the Local Board. I want to give back to the community that raised me and ensure that local decisions have the input of diverse communities. As the Outreach Coordinator, for the Mt Roskill Community Association and in leading Generation Zero Auckland I have experience in governance. I volunteer with environmental groups and work with young people to raise awarness for local politics. I believe Puketāpapa is the greatest local board area in Tāmaki Makaurau, and a vote for me and the City Vision candidates is a vote for safer streets, better parks, and informed, principled decision making.

Puketāpapa Local Board

City Vision

Candidate statement

Puketāpapa is my home. My family has lived here for over 50 years, contributing through business and community service. I returned to Puketāpapa last year after ten years away because I wanted to give my daughter a great childhood, with beautiful local parks, an incredible coastline, and a vibrant and diverse community. I am running for the Local Board to make sure the Council hears and serves everyone in our community. I’ve worked in governance, strategy, planning, accountability and advocacy, so I can hit the ground running as a capable and hardworking local board member. Our community has endured significant challenges over the past few years, with major storms causing uncertainty and disruption in people’s lives. I will advocate for and deliver the community services and infrastructure we need to live well and thrive, whatever life throws at us. Vote City Vision for a team that will deliver!

Puketāpapa Local Board

City Vision

Candidate statement

Tēnā koutou! Whilst living in Puketāpapa for many years, I have evolved as a mum, musician, teacher and environmental volunteer. Our family have made the most of the awesome things on offer, whether it be hanging at the skate park, exploring our amazing coastline, or going to the vibrant multicultural festival. Our strong and connected communities have an energy that draws people in. Like a symphony, Puketāpapa sings to my soul! Wanting to play my part, I started environmental volunteering on Big King maunga/Te Tātua a Riukiuta. Consequently, I connected with people who have heart and passion for our communities. These heroes deserve to be celebrated and supported through ongoing funding, backing and policy support. Puketāpapa is already terrific, and now is the time to continue deepening connections and improving things we care about. It will be an honour to represent you, so please vote for the City Vision team.

Puketāpapa Local Board

C&R - Communities and Residents

Candidate statement

Mt Roskill is my home, family roots and in my blood. Both my grandfather and father were Mayor of Mt Roskill and my father was Deputy Mayor of Auckland City. I've been on the Local Board for three years and worked hard on infrastructure solutions that work and prudent spend of the ratepayer dollar. Puketāpapa faces significant challenges with rapid growth and under investment in infrastructure. I have decades of professional, governance and community experience - Chartered Accountant, Degree in Property, Director of our family business Keith Hay Homes, nine years as board chair at Hay Park School, Public Policy Institute trustee and on several local charities and sports clubs. I know first-hand how Council decisions can cripple or help local families. I have practical experience and will serve our community with the best of my skills and love for the place and its people. Vote Roseanne Hay and C&R.

Puketāpapa Local Board

C&R - Communities and Residents

Candidate statement

As a current Chair, Local Board member with 15 years' experience, I bring a wealth of local government expertise in arts and culture, library, sport and recreation, economic development, and planning. I continue to advocate for action-focused, fair outcomes that deliver for all residents, pushing for smart development that maximises open space and balances the needs of community to help Puketāpapa thrive. Community is at the heart of everything I do and believe in, with twenty-plus years' experience on boards of trustees, including Mt Roskill Primary and Grammar, Roskill Together. I am the founder of Puketāpapa Business Voice, Local Business Association, a Justice Peace and Marriage Celebrant. Having studied health sciences, I work every day to help people achieve healthy lives. We need a local board that genuinely keeps the community at the heart of all its decisions. Vote Ella Kumar and all C&R Candidates.

Puketāpapa Local Board

C&R - Communities and Residents

Candidate statement

Community is at my heart. As your board deputy chair, I've worked to amplify voices and deliver real results; securing shade sails for playgrounds, benches in parks, reducing alcohol harm, and advocating for upgrades like the Dominion/Denbigh roundabout and weekly rubbish collection. As a pharmacist, I bring frontline insight to governance. I co-founded ARK (Acts of Roskill Kindness), which stepped up during the Anniversary and Easter floods; delivering urgent medical care, food, shelter, and coordination with Council and community. I'll continue to push for safe, vibrant neighbourhoods, better infrastructure, protection of green spaces, cultural diversity, connected communities, and value for money from our rates. I'm committed to health, equity, and inclusion in every decision. Puketāpapa is home; where my husband and I are raising our daughter. I'm a proud Roskill schools graduate, serve on the Roskill Primary Board, and was church youth leader. Vote Fiona Lai and C&R.

Puketāpapa Local Board

C&R - Communities and Residents

Candidate statement

I'm Brendan Larmer. A proud local, husband, and father raising my family right here in Mount Roskill. I've lived in this community my entire life, and I'm guided by a simple belief: when we look after our families, work hard and support each other our whole community benefits. As a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years of experience, I bring a hardworking, practical, and solutions-oriented mindset, whether it's helping local businesses thrive or delivering smart, effective outcomes for our neighbourhood. Volunteering is part of who I am: from supporting local schools, sports clubs, and events to quietly pitching in wherever help is needed. I believe in action over talk and outcomes over promises. With rates and the cost of living on the rise, practical, financially sound decisions matter. If elected, I'll bring a no-nonsense, common-sense approach to the Puketāpapa Local Board. For strong local representation, Vote Brendan Larmer. Vote C&R.

Puketāpapa Local Board

C&R - Communities and Residents

Candidate statement

Born at Greenlane Hospital to hardworking migrant parents, my first home was at 435 Dominion Road. I've lived in the Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa area for 49 years, it's where I grew up, attending Good Shepherd, then Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, and later St Peter's College in Mt Eden. I've played football locally for Central United, Three Kings (now Auckland United), and now Western Springs. I've coached juniors, served on football committees, and given back through the Dominion Road Business Association and Croatian Cultural Society. I've run successful businesses in Mt Roskill, Mt Eden and Sandringham, and bring over 30 years of experience in fashion, textiles, property, and global supply networks. I've designed homes, fashion collection, and technology; always with a practical, creative mindset. It's been an honour to serve on the Puketāpapa Local Board for the past three years. I'd love your support to continue. Vote Mark Pervan and C&R.

Puketāpapa Local Board

Independent

Candidate statement

Dog owners, you’ve been ignored, sidelined, and punished. I’m running to change that. I’m Mark Price, a Lynfield resident known for rescuing life-chained dogs and standing up for fair, evidence-based policy. I’m running because what happened at Monte Cecilia Park was unacceptable. The board, led by Ella Kumar and four C&R members, dismissed hundreds of submissions opposing their views and removed off-leash access, punishing responsible dog owners who used this park for years. I’ve supported dogs, security, value-for-money, and families. I know how vital safe, inclusive off-leash spaces are - and I back smarter enforcement, fenced areas, water bowls, bins, and respect for people who do the right thing. I’ve served as a national board executive on numerous boards, worked with the Puketāpapa Business Association, and supported local security initiatives. I know how to deliver. If you’re a dog owner who’s had enough - I’m ready to represent you.

Kua whakahawea, kua whakakore, kua whiua ngā kaipupuri kurī. Ka tū au hei kaitono kia rerekē tēnei āhua. Ko Mark Price tōku ingoa. He kainoho nō Lynfield, he kaitiaki kurī, ā, he kaitautoko i ngā kaupapa here tōkeke, i runga i te taunakitanga. Ka tū au nā te mea kāore i tika te whakatau mō Monte Cecilia Park. Nā Ella Kumar me ngā mema tokowhā o C&R i whakakore i te wāhi kurī, ahakoa ngā rau o ngā tāpaetanga. I whara rātou i ngā kaipupuri kurī haepapa kua whakamahi i taua papa mō ngā tau maha. E tautoko ana au i ngā taiapa kurī, ngā puna wai, ngā ipu para, me te whakakaha i te ture. Mēnā he kaipupuri kurī koe kua rongo i te mamae - ka tū au hei māngai mōu.

Puketāpapa Local Board

Candidate statement

Kia ora Puketāpapa! My name is Jessica, and I would be honoured to represent our community on the Puketāpapa Local Board. I’m interested in supporting local business, improving walkways and cycling paths, and protecting our wonderful parks and reserves (including off-leash space for our furry friends). Along with a busy family life I work full time, study part time and volunteer. Like many of you I am also a regular at Mt Roskill Library; I walk in Monte Cecilia and Big King Reserve; I shop at the Three Kings Woolworths and Mt Roskill New World. I really care about our neighbourhood, about the success of our local businesses, and about the health and happiness of our families and neighbours. I don’t have a grand agenda but I’m enthusiastic about our community, and I’m keen to work with you all to keep Puketāpapa beautiful.

Puketāpapa Local Board

City Vision

Candidate statement

I’m asking for your vote to represent you, and our community, as one of the members of the Puketāpapa Local Board. I bring my experience as a new mother, architect, artist, director, and small business owner. This is my home. Development should put our needs as residents first, while providing for our future neighbours. We need better public transport, and safer streets. I want our parks, playgrounds, and community facilities to be world-class, accessible and safe for everyone. Climate change threatens us. We need action first to address the immediate risks like flooding and building for a secure future. My experience as an architect specialising in environmental and social impact will deliver. I know about community engagement, planning mixed-use developments, and designing great public spaces. A vote for me and the City Vision team is a vote for an action-focused, progressive local board, working for you and all of us.

Puketāpapa Local Board

City Vision

Candidate statement

'Find your place on the planet. Dig in, and take responsibility from there.' I love Puketāpapa and have spent most of my life here. I attended local schools, taught at them, and have served two terms on the Local Board and as Manukau Harbour Forum Chair. We have faced some tough challenges but also had successes in transport, the environment, and parks. However, we need to do more to ensure that our local communities have access to a high quality of life. We should aim for more investment in parks and assets, better infrastructure, better transport choices, and to listen to the voices of our diverse community. We also need to be investing in the health of our waterways and the harbour. Serving the community of Puketāpapa has been my greatest privilege – with your support, I would love to continue. Please vote for me and the City Vision team.

Puketāpapa Local Board

Independent

Candidate statement

I am Dr Abann Yor, the CEO of the Aotearoa Resettled Community Coalition. As a practitioner, community advocate, and educator, I work in community development and social practice. With a background in organisational management and leadership, I develop initiatives that empower ethnic communities to engage, collaborate, and thrive. I am excited to join the Puketāpapa Local Board as a candidate in the 2025 Auckland local election. With over two decades of grassroots experience, I bring strong, leadership, and strategic planning skills. My focus areas - housing, environment, transportation, local businesses, youth, and senior wellbeing - are grounded in a community-led approach that values inclusivity and practical solutions. I am committed to addressing the challenges Puketāpapa faces and to contributing to the board’s collective efforts to meet diverse needs of our community. I would be honoured to bring my voice and experience to the table in service of our shared future.