Disclaimer
The information on this page has been provided by the candidates. It does not reflect the views or positions of Auckland Council.
Raphaela ROSE
Candidate for 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.
Why I want to be elected
As both a new mother and an architect, I’m deeply motivated to stand for the local board in response to the growing threats of climate change and rising social inequity. My immediate priority will be to take decisive action on urgent flooding risks and the ongoing challenge of affordability. With professional expertise and a personal stake in our community’s future, I’m committed to delivering practical, forward-thinking solutions that build resilient neighbourhoods where everyone can thrive.
My key skills and qualities
My key skill is the ability to listen and understand complex situations. That’s what I do as an architect specialising in environmental and social impact. I bring expertise in community engagement, mixed-use development planning, and designing great public spaces. As a company owner, I have a practical, results-driven mindset, ensuring that solutions are not only innovative but also meet budget. My unique skills and understanding of our community’s needs will shape Puketāpapa’s thriving future.
My top three key issues
Sustainable neighbourhoods are at the heart of my vision. I’m driven to deliver solutions that tackle immediate risks and strengthen our ability to adapt- focusing on transport, infrastructure, and housing. As an architect, I understand the links between these factors. Fostering resilient communities, where everyone has fair access to resources, facilities and support. Safe, accessible, well-maintained public spaces for our increasing population and everyone’s need for recreation and connection.
My position on key topics
Transport
My transport priorities focus on addressing congestion, by prioritising public and active modes of transport, while acknowledging the immediate reality of our car-reliant city. I advocate for holistic transport strategies ensuring safe footpaths for pedestrians, safe road sharing for cyclists and cars, and the strategic prioritisation of development density around public transport nodes. This comprehensive approach aims to create a more efficient, safer, and sustainable transport network.
Water
Any consideration of water management must first acknowledge Te Mana o te Wai—the significance of water as a resource supporting both human and ecosystem health. From this foundational understanding, an integrated approach, developed through community consultation, must be sought. Puketāpapa, severely affected by flooding, demonstrates how investing in blue-green projects through protecting wetlands, daylighting watercourses, and safeguarding freshwater bodies has been an effective investment.
Built environment
I’m concerned by the poor quality of terrace housing currently occurring in Auckland. To create a truly liveable city, we must incentivise high-density apartments around transport nodes, backed by strong infrastructure and public amenities. Heritage protection is equally vital - our historic townscapes give Auckland its unique personality. A successful and sustainable urban environment balances increasing density with the adaptive reuse of heritage and building a city that’s rich in identity.
Natural environment
I advocate for enhancing biodiversity through a broader climate resilience strategy, where a water-sensitive design approach is adopted for water use and management, minimising loads on current infrastructure while enhancing ecosystems. The restoration of Te Auaunga/Oakley Creek is a notable example, where daylighting the natural stream has led to a measurable improvement in the environment, while providing flood resilience to nearly 200 homes, and created recreational community amenity.
Community
My community engagement experience drives me to build strong, connected neighbourhoods. This includes residents and their diverse organisations, whether it be sporting, religious, environmental, or educational. We need to connect these groups with local board and council agencies to help them thrive. I'll listen and find solutions- for facilities, events, or support. A key part of this will be to acknowledge mana whenua-led processes, indigenous knowledge and leadership in our communities.
Economic and cultural development
As a local board member, I will advocate to central government for the continuation of vital social and affordable housing, schools and infrastructure along key transport corridors to support increased urban density. This offers dual benefit to our local economy: in the short term, it creates employment opportunities for local contractors and community members; in the long term, it drives population growth, stimulating demand for goods and services, and strengthens our economic resilience.
Well-managed local government and outcomes for Māori
A thriving Auckland depends on democratic, transparent governance. Delivering positive outcomes for Māori means honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi, embedding Māori leadership in decision-making, and ensuring equity across all aspects of governance. Climate change poses an urgent threat. We must act now to address immediate risks like flooding and build for a resilient future. As an architect specialising in environmental impact, I bring the expertise needed to help lead that change.
Candidate's supporting links
These links to external websites have been provided by the candidates. The content on these websites does not reflect the views or positions of Auckland Council.