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
My Wife Kathryn and I are standing for the Whau Local board as independents under our own brand of 'Voice of the People'. We have no affiliations to any of the political parties and will bring an independent oversight and perspective to Board decisions. We are both committed Christians and treat everyone equally with love, compassion and empathy. We bring many terms of previous service both here in Auckland and Canterbury, so we know how local bodies works. Local boards have been dominated by political party ideologies for decades and have not produced productive decision making for our communities. Rates monies are delivered to groups based on their popularity with party candidates rather than what they provide to our communities. We will hold bureaucrat decision making accountable, such as the proliferation of speed tables and bumps everywhere, and stand up against the behind 'closed door' rubber stamping by Boards.
Why I want to be elected
Because the current and previous councils are very politically divided and decision making is very evidently driven by the councillors political allegiances. more independent voices at the table will ensure that the Voices of the People is heard in Council meetings rather than the voices of the political caucuses. I will work tirelessly to reduce wasteful spending on non core issues such a $2.4 billion dollars over 4 years for C40 climate change funding. Keeping rates raises below inflation rate
My key skills and qualities
Retired business operator. Married family man with Christian morals and truth. I have significant previous Local Board and Licensing Trust experience. I am not controlled or alligned to any political parties and bring a truely independent decision making history. I am ex military and have a solutions based outlook with excellent personel management skills. I have worked in numerous industries including Aircraft mainenance, Warehousing and Sakes and Distribution. I am committed to my community.
My top three key issues
1. Cutting non core expenditure to keep rates raises to under the rate of inflation 2. Reducing political party influence in council decision making and bureaucratic influence. 3. Improving transport and water service provision across the Auckland region.
My position on key topics
Transport
Improving the roading repair standards, including sourcing the substandard products currently used. Rearranging train and bus services so buses provide local feeder services to main line train services. Both services should not fight for the same patronage. Stop wasting ratepayer funds on installing speed humps and tables and use those funds to actually repair road surfaces and footpaths across Auckland. Stop wasting billions of dollars on climate change issues that provide no ratepayer benefit.
Water
It should be reinvested in inhouse Auckland Council ownership and management. Watercare infrastructure runs primarily under Auckland Transport roads. AT is independent of Auckland Council and is controlled by separate legislation. Potentially AT is a privatisation and with it the land our water pipes are buried in. Things need to change to protect ratepayers interests
Built environment
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Natural environment
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Community
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Economic and cultural development
Business and economic growth are a result of good policy and good central government fiscal and financial performance. Our cultural heritage involves every resident and ratepayer and Auckland council should not be using rates monies from every resident and ratepayer to benefit minority groups based on ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion or political ideological preference. Culture is an individual identity based on each persons ethnic background and is subservient to nationhood.
Well-managed local government and outcomes for Māori
The Treaty of Waitangi is a great and aspirational covenant with an 1840 aspiration to Unity, Accord and Respect. It is only in modern times that the treaty has been introduced into legislation when it was rewritten, reimagined and monetised. Subsequently the Treaty has been used to redirect money, power and privilege to a select group of New Zealanders. It is outlandish to assert that Maori needs Auckland Council to provide affirmative outcomes for them. Maori are equally successful themselves.
Candidate's supporting links
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