Disclaimer
The information on this page has been provided by the candidates. It does not reflect the views or positions of Auckland Council.
Candidate statement
I proudly serve Upper Harbour Local Board, and will continue working hard for our communities. Council needs courageous governance; a 100-year strategic approach to our challenges: proactive planning, future-proof investment, resilient infrastructure, advocacy for diverse communities’ needs, and support for our youth, disability, arts, community, and environmental sector volunteers. I’ve lived all over Upper Harbour. Raised on Hobsonville Air Base and overseas, I live to serve: Finance career (7 years); Auckland Council Project Manager (5 years); Volunteer Scout leader (9+ years); Local Social Entrepreneur delivering employment, energy efficiency, and healthier housing (10+ years). I have professional qualifications and a Business Degree (Natural Resource and Environmental Economics) from Massey University (Albany). Working with Living Upper Harbour and other Local Board Members, I help our communities prepare for emergencies, waste less, plan better, and play more. Let’s have the hard conversations and collaborate to deliver meaningful results for Climate, Community and Council.
Why I want to be elected
Thanks for trusting me to serve our Upper Harbour Communities for the last 3 years. It's time to take Auckland Governance to the next level. Local Government engagement and satisfaction is very low. We need to do democracy better so that everyone's voice is heard and considered and prioritise things that will make everyone better off in the long run. Too many politicians focus on promises that might get them reelected in 3 years time. We need to agree a longer term strategy: Invest in our future
My key skills and qualities
Caring. Collaboration. Commitment. Community building. Responsible Climate Action Raised throughout Upper Harbour and overseas, I live to serve: Finance career (7 years); Auckland Council Project Manager (5 years); Volunteer Scout leader (9+ years); Local Social Entrepreneur delivering employment, poverty avoidance, energy efficiency, and healthier housing (10+ years). Professional qualifications and a Business Degree (Natural Resource and Environmental Economics) from Massey University (Albany)
My top three key issues
I help our communities prepare for emergencies, waste less, plan better, enjoy life more. Let’s have the hard conversations and collaborate to deliver meaningful results for Climate, Community and Council. We need meaningful large scale local climate action to protect what we care most about; pest control, preparation for emergencies, planting, more support for local community and environmental groups, youth and Māori outcomes, disability, diversity, inclusive democracy, a strong local economy
My position on key topics
Transport
Infrastructure is expensive. As Government reduces taxes they fund local councils less to deliver essential and valued services for ratepayers. Auckland deserves a well-functioning public and private transport network as much as any other international city. We need improved transport solutions in the correct places with sufficient funding models to create the city we need. Safe separated modes, safe neighbourhood school runs for kids. Adults need rapid commuting options, maintenance prioritised
Water
Work with Watercare and community partners to: • Reduce waste - avoid leaks and excessive consumption with water saving education • Avoid un-swimmable beaches - invest now to separate sewage (wastewater) pipes from skywater (stormwater) • Reduce flooding - encourage retention/ detention tanks, swales, raingardens, inexpensive natural systems • Find rural solutions that are fit for purpose • Continue to explore culturally appropriate future water sources with mana whenua and citizens assemblies
Built environment
When I was a Project Manager on the original Auckland Plan, the best model for Auckland was identified as a "Quality Compact City". Conserving our important cultural and historic heritage needs to be balanced with the costs of a growing population and degraded environment. Rapid transit corridors and urban centres absorb most new housing development to reduce the cost of expensive greenfield infrastructure. No development should be allowed over high-value soils or hazard (eg: flood-prone) areas
Natural environment
Upper Harbour scored highest volunteer hours of any area - our community organisations like UWEN are delivering for pest control, planting, and climate resilience. Council must do more. For abundant fisheries; more marine sanctuaries. For abundant biodiversity; complete the North-West Wildlink (including Whenuapai), habitat, corridors. Urgent need to eradicate Exotic caulerpa and other highly invasive pests before this becomes too expensive. Protect SEAs. More natural solutions to climate issues
Community
Government is slashing local funding. Local boards and community organisations are very limited right now. Council can't do everything but we need to enable community safety, resilience and belonging. Local communities thrive with activation and programming from a neighbourhood scale anchor organisation managing a local facility where people and organisations gather, connect and collaborate for public good. These hubs build multicultural understanding, a sense of place, resilience in emergencies
Economic and cultural development
After Mayor Brown de-funded TAU, local boards have had NO ability to support local economic development. We need to: fund Economic Brokers to identify opportunities to boost local economic outcomes, events, youth employment, training opportunities; Build off the success of BIDs like Business North Harbour; Buy local/ NZ made including Council Procurement; Identify opportunities to collaborate with Hapu, PSGEs, other stakeholders on business opportunities, and promote our unique cultural heritage
Well-managed local government and outcomes for Māori
Politicians must respect others; collaborate for long-term community benefit; listen to local/ staff/ stakeholder advice, scientific evidence. Māori are best placed to inform decisions that affect Māori outcomes. Ports workers: motivated experts with workable solutions. Future fund: invest responsibly in long-term climate-safe strategic assets for all Aucklanders, de-risk with derivatives. Storm recovery: long-term un-affordable insurance; much cheaper to STOP irresponsible development practices
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.