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
A vote for Patrick Reynolds is a vote for progressive, constructive, and effective leadership. A life-long Aucklander, I am passionate about our city and its people fulfilling their immense potential. From the city-centre, the inner suburbs, to the islands of our precious Hauraki Gulf: I love this city. My governance experience includes board roles with NZTA, Auckland Transport, Auckland public art and city centre panels. I am also a business owner, writer, and photographer. I bring a fresh, collaborative and future-focused approach to solving complex problems for a greater Auckland. By focussing on fixing local issues cost-effectively; public transport, traffic congestion, flood resilience, restoring our harbours and waterways, adding trees and homes in the right places, we can also address more daunting problems like climate change and the cost of living, while lifting prosperity and liveability for all Aucklanders. Vote for Patrick Reynolds and the City Vision team.
Why I want to be elected
I am a life long Aucklander, I love this city and believe it can be the best little city on the globe. I will work towards this collaboratively with the mayor and council, and push for Auckland's needs with government. We are blessed with a stunning harbour location with so much potential, but there is much to do to fulfil that promise and for everyone. Build a prosperous, vibrant, inclusive 21stC city on the sparkling Waitematā, with liveable and affordable neighbourhoods of all kinds.
My key skills and qualities
I bring a wealth of governance experience which is what is needed as a councillor. I have a deep knowledge of transport + planning through 15 years with advocacy group Greater Auckland, + 4 years as a director of NZTA. I work well with people of all political stripes. I know how central govt works, which is critical at this level. I'm also a successful business owner in the arts sector, and a parent. I am passionate for our city: I am ready to serve this great city + all its people.
My top three key issues
1. Build a flood resilient city, with more tree cover, parks, clean streams and beaches. More homes in the right places, at rapid transit stations, create walkable attractive places. 2. Balanced transport: complete the rapid transit network, improve buses, ferries, and finish the safe bike network. This will improve choice and make driving more effective as more will choose alternatives, reducing congestion. 3. Support culture & community for richer, more prosperous lives, we can be proud of.
My position on key topics
Transport
Better roads: Maintain what we have well. Use renewals to update (not just like for like). Complete rapid transit network, get value out of the CRL by building up around stations. Improve buses and ferries, electrify. Fairer fares for Waiheke - bring in line with the rest of the network. Greater local control of local issues, eg safe speeds. Complete viable and cost effective safe bike + footpath networks. Work with mayor for a fairer deal from govt and better overall investment programme.
Water
Between Watercare and council a clear focus on greater flood resilience and cleaner run-off with swales etc for cleaner streams and harbours, healthier beaches and marine life. Spatial planning needs to avoid flood prone areas more diligently than in the past, ie resist sprawl in vulnerable places. Optimise parkland for flood management. More home water collection encouraged for resilience and to help ensure supply in drought periods. I support the goals of the current Water strategy
Built environment
We do need more, well designed, well placed, affordable homes. Enable more in the right places, where there is existing infrastructure, especially water and public transport, on the rapid transport network. Do not consent distant new suburbs that cost the city way more to service than will ever be covered by their rates. Built + natural heritage is important. Beautiful is valuable, we should cherish the quality we have and incentivise great new design and places. Elevate both: design led city.
Natural environment
We are blessed with a great natural realm, and must be wise kaitiaki/custodians of it. As with the built environment council must think and act intergenerationally about the lands and waters in it care: we should leave them in better condition. Therefor I support co-governance of regional parks as we have with our Maunga. This is a proven success makes for longterm sustainable and richer conditions for our regional parks and other areas such as the Hauraki Gulf, managed through the Gulf Forum.
Community
Strongly support more local control of local services + assets. Eg AT back in Council enables local board control of local streets, eg Waiheke LB controlling maintenance of island network. Communities are best placed to decide priorities for themselves. With regional issues remaining at council level. Libraries, pools, parks, sports grounds with more local input, with budget oversight and technical support from above. Special local qualities should be treasured too: variety is strength.
Economic and cultural development
Council regs, especially planning, do have a considerable influence on prosperity through economic efficiency. Enabling dense clusters of education and employment is powerful. Making the city attractive, safe, and sustainable, stimulates economic activity attracts visitors, firms and creativity. It is valuable to shape our city with particularity, so it is not just the same as other cities: showcasing our distinct + varied past in culturally authentic and unique ways therefore matters.
Well-managed local government and outcomes for Māori
In my governance experience Māori bring a powerful intergenerational view to decision making. This is valuable; not to be feared. Outcomes for Māori are a key indicator of our city's overall performance. I support the gradual return of surplus wharves and their careful addition to the city fabric, reconnection with the harbour, improved waterside public realm, cost-effectively. I strongly support the Future Fund and aim to add it. This is prudent guardianship in extremely uncertain times.
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.