Ngā kaitono ā-rohe pōti 2025Ward candidates 2025

Waitākere Ward

Independent

Candidate statement

I am Justice of Peace, educated at Auckland University. I am Malaysian Chinese from Hong Kong; married to Audrey with three adult children; Co-founder of Waitakere Ethnic Board, the Lantern Festival and former Waitakere City Cultural Ambassador. I have been serving the community and Local Government for over 24 years. I am committed to working to transparency and sustainability in Council's operation, ensuring that it is more responsive to the core needs of our community. I believe Local Authorities exist only for the convenience of the residents and ratepayers and that rates must be adjusted to an affordable level and be fair to all. I am a former Waitakere City Councillor and current member of the Henderson-Massey Local Board. I advocate inclusiveness, public transport, more green spaces, sustainable neighbourhoods, and affordable housing. I would like to ensure that the Council is governed by the interests of many, not the few.

Waitākere Ward

Candidate statement

Linda brings proven experience, deep local knowledge, and a strong commitment to our community. Linda has served West Auckland with integrity for years, advocating for responsible growth, improved infrastructure, and better public services. She listens to residents, takes action on concerns, and has a solid track record of getting results. Her leadership during past council terms has shown she can navigate complex issues while staying grounded in the values of the people she represents. Linda supports sustainable development, safer neighbourhoods, and better transport options for Waitākere. She's not just a politician – she's a long-time local who truly cares. With her balanced, practical approach and dedication to community wellbeing and building relationships, Linda is the kind of leader who will continue to make a positive difference. Vote Linda Cooper

Waitākere Ward

Independent

Candidate statement

Non-compliance with Auckland Council's dog rules is flagrant in Waitakere Ward. This problem is worsened by housing intensification and resulting increase in the local dog population. Stray, uncontrolled off-leash, unruly, and threatening dogs, dogs harassing wildlife at beaches and parks, and unremoved dog fouling underfoot spoil our shared quality of life. Auckland Council must invest more resources in Waitakere Ward to ensure improved compliance with dog rules. That means Animal Management rangers active in Waitakere Ward early mornings, late afternoons, evenings, weekends, and public holidays carrying out enforcement with efficiency, effectiveness and deterrence of parking wardens. It means significantly increased revenues collected from dog infringement fines for Auckland Council to spend on public improvements within our ward. It also means advocating for central government to increase dog infringement penalties to punitive and compliance-incentivising levels well above the present-day paltry and non-motivating $300. If you agree, vote for Michael Coote.

Waitākere Ward

Independent

Candidate statement

I have resided in Te Atatu Peninsula for 20 years and recently shifted to Te Atatu South. I am a self-employed architectural designer and have worked in the building industry for over 50 years and a 5 year term as a lecturer at Unitec in the National Diploma of Architectural Technology. I am outraged at the fees Auckland Council, Watercare and AT, charge for the resource and building consent processes. These are entrenched monopolies with no commercial competition to set fair and reasonable fees. I am concerned at the face of West Auckland is being changed from the single house with a yard for kids to play; now to having 11 units on a site with no carparking spaces on the site. This creates a problem for street parking and secondary where car thieves come regularly so we have the police helicopter nearly every night. This is not my west.

Waitākere Ward

Labour

Candidate statement

A vote to re-elect Shane Henderson will keep the West moving forward. I've lived in the West my entire life, and I'm raising my young family here. I started my career as a lawyer providing legal help to low-income Westies. I've spent my life serving the community we love. I'm seeking re-election to protect public services, act on climate and the cost of living, and deliver a second public swimming pool for the West. I delivered my promise last term of introducing a weekly cap on public transport fares. With your vote, I'll go further, lowering the cap and cutting transport costs. This helps household budgets and uses public transport to ease congestion. We've made real progress, but the work isn't done yet. We can achieve a fairer deal for Westies and more investment into our future. Love the West, vote Shane Henderson, Jess Rose and the Labour team.

Waitākere Ward

WestWards

Candidate statement

I am a husband, father of four, and proud Westie with a multicultural background. Like many of you, I want our community to thrive - safely, fairly, and with common sense at the core. I'm standing alongside Ken Turner and the WestWards Team because West Auckland deserves practical leadership that understands local issues. With a proven track record in governance across community, business, and licensing bodies, I will ask the right questions & deliver real outcomes. I've worked at the grassroots and around the decision-making table, bridging both worlds to get results that matter. We want better local services, weekly rubbish collection, more parks investment & keeping Speedway at Western Springs. We want real accountability, smarter council spending & stronger local control. I'm committed to putting our community first. Vote Sunil Kaushal & the WestWards Team to get things done & a community-first approach that delivers in West Auckland.

Waitākere Ward

Candidate statement

Tēnā koutou. I’m standing for Council to serve the people of Waitākere and Henderson-Massey with honesty, faith, and heart. I’m a Catholic and a follower of Jesus (Hēhu Karaiti), and I believe in leadership that cares for people - with aroha, fairness, and respect. I have 13 years’ experience working in Corrections and one year as an Enforcement officer and Waste Advisor. I’ve worked with whānau facing hard times and I understand the real issues: safe streets, good homes, support for rangatahi (young people), and protecting our environment. I want to bring your voice to the Council table. My focus is on practical solutions that help our communities now and in the future. I believe in mahi tahi (working together) to make our neighbourhoods strong and hopeful. Ngā mihi nui, Seamus Sambhu Lal

Waitākere Ward

Candidate statement

I’m a Laotian mum who arrived in NZ as a baby and raised in West Auckland. Growing up in diverse homes and working across Asia and NZ shaped my commitment to bold, inclusive leadership and meaningful change. With over 20 years in the Immigration sector, I am new to Council, but not new to Leadership, Business, or Governance. I’ve served as a Branch Technical Advisor for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and as New Zealand’s International Criminal Fraud Representative for the NZ Commerce and Trade Office. I own Luv Immigration and serve on NZ Tennis Boards. I speak multiple languages and hold qualifications in Political Science, Education, Business, and Teaching. Vote safer and cleaner neighborhoods, better transport, infrastructure and healthcare - and leadership that reflects our diverse communities. I fight hard on the tennis court - and even harder for you. Vote Kay Luv – Your Change Champion

Waitākere Ward

Independent

Candidate statement

Experienced, hard-working, approachable and committed to my community. For too long West Auckland has received less than the supercity promised. We deserve our fair share and access to the city's prosperity and opportunities. I know how local government operates and I know how we can make it work for everyone. I have eighteen years’ experience in business ownership and operation. With two terms governing on the local board, my determination and strong consensus leadership style has enabled me to deliver. Through my council and community involvement, I understand the issues we face. I will back initiatives that contribute to West Auckland’s economy, rapid transit investment along the Northwestern, environmental stewardship and investment in desperately needed infrastructure. I don’t take sides, I don’t belong to any political party, I am totally focused on what is best for the West community. Vote for me and I’ll fight for more for our community!

Waitākere Ward

Future West

Candidate statement

First elected in 2016, I’m bringing solid board experience and a fresh face to Waitākere Ward. I started work in a trade but now have degrees in both business and anthropology, and I’m a certified project manager. I’ve held governance roles on the Manukau Harbour Forum, Auckland Climate Advisory and Women in Urbanism. I’m well known around the council table for working collaboratively and building relationships for the benefit of the local community. Preparing our suburbs for the challenges of climate change and protecting our people, parks, nature and waterways for future generations is my highest priority. With your support, I’ll champion local decision-making, safer neighbourhoods, and more affordable transport options. I’m driven by the values that make the West unique: whānau, fairness, and a fierce pride in where we live. For an effective team that will get the west its fair share, vote Jess Rose and Shane Henderson

Waitākere Ward

Candidate statement

Committed to the People. After 28 years in Waitakere and over 40 years as a lawyer, I am seeking your support to serve on the Waitakere Ward. I'm standing as an independent candidate, not aligned with any political party. My commitment is to our Waitakere community, not to party politics or outside agendas. Throughout my legal career, I've listened, advocated, and worked hard to resolve real problems for my clients. I will bring that same approach to local government. My priorities are straightforward: Cap rates to keep life affordable; Cut wasteful spending on non-essential projects. Focus on core services: roads, rubbish, water, parks and transport. Waitakere deserves practical, no-nonsense leadership-someone who listens and delivers without spin or party pressure. That's who I am and always have been. I will represent your voice, act with transparency, work hard to protect what matters to our community. Vote for people-first leadership.

Waitākere Ward

WestWards

Candidate statement

Working with Sunil Kaushal and the WestWards Team. I’m fourth generation born and bred Waitakere: A proud tradesman, business owner, family man, and farmer. I’ll ensure our local needs are heard and acted on by Council. Deliver genuine, full, and honest communication from Auckland Council to the public. Ensure our Parks are maintained and improved and remain open to all Aucklanders. Retain our weekly household rubbish collection. Support Speedway remaining at Western Springs. The WestWards Team and I will work to give local boards control over their maintenance budgets and employ local firms and contractors. I’m experienced, hardworking, and committed to our communities. I have the fortitude to stand strong in the face of bureaucratic pressure. I’m here to represent the everyday Aucklander. I will constantly fight against unnecessary council spending. Please vote for me and our WestWards Team and help us champion common sense and practical results for everyone.