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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.
Soraiya DAUD
Candidate for 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!
Why I want to be elected
Puketāpapa is my home. I am deeply committed to the diverse communities of Puketāpapa. Our community has endured significant challenges over the past few years, with major storms and cancelled housing projects 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. I will ensure that the diverse voices of Puketāpapa are heard at the Council table.
My key skills and qualities
Alongside my career I am a mum and volunteer. This means I understand the challenges faced by many people working in our community whether it’s running our sports clubs, environmental groups, religious organisations, youth and community groups. My skills in leadership, governance, accountability, community organising mean I can hit the ground running as a capable and hardworking local board member. I am a strong advocate able to fight for our community where and when it matters.
My top three key issues
Housing Puketāpapa is close to jobs, services and has a strong sense of community and belonging making it the right place for more warm, dry, affordable homes. Infrastructure Recent flooding shows the importance of investing in our infrastructure. I will advocate for Puketāpapa to get the infrastructure investment it needs. Community investment I will prioritise investment in our community facilities and organisations that make life in Puketapapa fulfilling and meaningful.
My position on key topics
Transport
I will advocate for networks that provide genuine transport choice so that people and goods can move around Auckland with ease and safety. My priority is public transport including buses. light rail, cycleways and safer walking. Having lived in a city where I only used the car on the weekend I know that better public transport, particularly rapid transit would give the choice not to have to use my car every day, like I am compelled to do in Auckland.
Water
We need significant investment in our water infrastructure, with long term planning and investment supported by the Central Government. There has been good progress on blue, green networks Puketapapa around Te Auaunga/Oakley Creek. We need to continue this investment, daylighting streams, planting natives and improving people's connection to our waterways. The Central Interceptor is another important long term investment to improve wastewater.
Built environment
Council planning regulations should promote high quality housing in well designed neighbourhoods with good amenity. Heritage protection should be used carefully and not to prevent the provision of high quality, warm, dry homes in the Auckland Isthmus. More housing in the Isthmus around town centres and public transport routes would help to revitalise many of our declining suburban centres particularly as people spend more time at home in their neighbourhoods.
Natural environment
Auckland’s natural environment is its drawcard. It’s the reason I moved back home. I missed the maunga, the beaches, the bush and the parks. There has been a lot of good investment in our natural environment, this investment needs to be a priority for the city, and the thing that we compete on against other places that people want to live and work. Enhancing our natural environment should be a partnership between Council, Government, Iwi and Community.
Community
Firstly we need good urban planning that supports connected communities through the physical environment. We need to be conscious of preserving the sense of belonging and community where it already exists and improving it where we need to. Decision making needs to be as close to the people as possible, because it’s communities themselves that know what they need. I will prioritise processes that include community in the design and implementation of local services and facilities.
Economic and cultural development
Investment in housing close to our town centres will support local businesses to thrive. The more people we have in proximity to our local businesses, rather than living in isolated suburbs means that people will be more likely to buy from local businesses than purchase online. That helps to keep our local businesses going. We need to recognise the many different cultures that have heritage in Auckland, from mana whenua, to Pakeha, to Pacific and other migrant communities.
Well-managed local government and outcomes for Māori
Delivering on Maori outcomes needs to be driven by mana whenua and urban Maori who know what this city needs to do to deliver for Maori. Therefore their voices need to be elevated in decision making whether it’s at the local or regional level. Climate change is here and we are in resilience and adaptation mode, all our decisions need to take into account this reality. The Ports of Auckland the Auckland Future Fund at Governing Board responsibilities but I am standing for a Local Board
Candidate's supporting links
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