Disclaimer
The information on this page has been provided by the candidates. It does not reflect the views or positions of Auckland Council.
John Godfrey RIDDELL
Candidate for Upper Harbour Local Board
Candidate statement
I want your vote to represent Upper Harbour on the Local Board. With my experience as a successful Waitakere City Council representative for Hobsonville, Herald Island, West Harbour, and Whenuapai, I'm committed to keeping rates low while improving our area's liveability and ensuring stronger democratic outcomes. Upper Harbour faces challenges like community engagement, environmental sustainability, transport, infrastructure, and recreational facilities. The Council should introduce subdivisions for better representation and more focused decision-making. My background allows me to work effectively with residents and stakeholders to address these issues and improve the area. I live in Hobsonville Point with my dog and cat, and one of my sons and his family are nearby. As a self-employed health and safety consultant, I'm ready to serve and ensure Upper Harbour's voice is heard. I am asking for your vote. Vote local, vote Riddell, to improve democracy, reduce rates, and fix local issues.
Why I want to be elected
I aim to be elected to make a meaningful impact, represent our community’s voice, address local issues, and foster positive change. I'm dedicated to keeping rates low to ensure stronger democratic outcomes. Upper Harbour faces community engagement, recreational facilities, infrastructure, and transport concerns. Why am I standing? Because I love this place. I believe in its potential, and I know that with the right leadership, we can make Upper Harbour a place we’re proud to call home.
My key skills and qualities
I'm standing for Upper Harbour because our community deserves strong, accountable leadership and practical solutions that improve everyday life. With a background in leadership and governance, I know how to get things done. Whether tackling infrastructure bottlenecks, improving parking access, or making our local representatives more accountable through subdivisions, I bring experience and action, not just talk. I'm approachable, I listen, and yes, I've got a sense of humour.
My top three key issues
Governance and democracy - Upper Harbour 30-40% voter turnout for non-Māori descent and 20-30% for Māori descent in the 2022 Local Government Election. Subdivisions would help • Residents would feel more connected to their local board member. People are more likely to vote when their vote directly affects their neighbourhood Subdivisions can focus on hyper-local issues, e.g., Hobsonville vs. Greenhithe. Other key issues include parking for many residents and infrastructure
My position on key topics
Transport
Cars - Parking issues in our suburbs and narrow roads Cycling coupled with skateboards and scooters—the lack of policing of the speeds, some of the visibility, and the lack of communication devices on such vehicles. I have a bike fitted with a bell, rear vision mirror, and reflectors. I am amazed that many are not, and bicycles and scooters can travel at relatively high speeds and are dangerous to themselves and others. Connections between buses, ferries and trains.
Water
Watercare is doing a good job, with oversight from the Council, in other words, the people who use the service have control. Auckland is lucky to have had Watercare for years. A growing city like Auckland will always have issues, especially as the size of the population outstrips the infrastructure currently in place for water. Should developers be contributing more to new infrastructure (they make the profit)? More thought as to who pays for new services, and how about a community voice?
Built environment
It appears that we are becoming a city of apartments and townhouses. Do we all want to live in a townhouse with no off-street parking? While nothing is wrong with that, such developments must be planned, as we have seen in Hobsonville Point. I would like to see better protection of our heritage, even if the face of a home can remain the same and the inside is changed. With more EVs and hybrids, there is a need for roadside EV charging to prevent leads running across footpaths.
Natural environment
West Auckland, Massey East, and Hobsonville have extensive bush-covered parks such as Moire Park and Hobsonville Point. We need more parks with abundant bush walks and areas where dogs can be off their leashes. We also need to reconsider the idea that road sign drainage, especially in rural areas, can contain rocks that collect various rubbish, which can lead to flooding. More regular cleaning and mowing of grass in parks will keep the ground dry, along with maintaining our roadsides and drains.
Community
Involve the community and community groups. Our service clubs, Lions and Rotary, can run Santa parades and build fitness trails. Local boards and the council do not need to advertise their involvement; they need to enable community groups and sports clubs to run community activities at half the cost that the council can. Residents can develop parks and walkways as those at Monterey Park have done.
Economic and cultural development
Lower compliance costs, let local businesses get on with running a business, and the Council does not have to charge so much. Yes, we need some rules and guidelines. Council should not be in the game of promoting our culture apart from recognising essential landmarks and history, and ensuring the museum, the zoo and so on are well-resourced.
Well-managed local government and outcomes for Māori
Without being provocative, we do not require special outcomes for Māori; local government should focus on all residents and ratepayers. We are a multicultural society. The Ports of Auckland should be open to citizen or private shareholding. At the same time, the Future Fund could help finance our history and purchase, develop, and protect property affected by storm events.
Candidate's supporting links
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