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 live in Glen Eden, a plumber and local small business owner, married and parent of two teenagers. I am different from the other candidates, not a politician or from a corporate background. Throughout my career I have been able to work with a large diverse group of people and organisations, this has helped me be a clear communicator and problem solver, I get things done. I will bring leadership that reflects our values and voices from our neighbours, communities and families, being responsible and accountable. Priorities; Advocate for more of our rates being invested locally and sensibly; Engage with our local community by listening to concerns and acting on them; Being approachable and accountable to all. I understand how we expect our council to be relevant and complete its core services well, and how we all struggle with increasing rates, rents and cost of living.
Why I want to be elected
I am standing as a candidate for Whau ward councillor to serve our local community with a strong and authentic voice for all. I think that real engagement with all our community has been lacking. I will advocate for all of our residents, groups and businesses, not just a certain few. If elected I will ensure our community's voice and our aspirations are heard and reflected at council, no cuts to our public services, stop wasteful spending and focus on core services being delivered locally.
My key skills and qualities
I was raised on a farm in the Waikato and left school to complete a trade apprenticeship. After moving to New Lynn some 25 years ago, I have since married, am raising my teenage children and am working in our small business. I will bring to council, *Treating all people as equals and being able to respectfully listen to people's views and concerns. *I have a no nonsense ability to get things done with a strong work ethic. *Strong ability to connect with all members of our community.
My top three key issues
1)Engage local trades, service providers and our self-employed for council services more and make it easier for them to apply to do so, with strong oversight. 2)Fight for council to spend on core services sensibly, stop wasteful vanity projects. Advocate for other ways to raise revenue, not unfair rate increases or taking on more and more debt. 3)Not changing our curbside rubbish collection to fortnightly, I will advocate to leave this alone and continue as a weekly collection.
My position on key topics
Transport
I do not believe in 'anti car culture', removing our carparks and turning them into pedestrian areas. Bus lanes and cycle lanes damage our businesses and our jobs. Auckland's geography is vast and using our private vehicles for our transport is our right. We need to continue to further embrace our public transport and further improve its usability. Our busy roads will only continue to get worse so our public transport, cycling and walking options need to continue to expand sustainably.
Water
Our water services provider Watercare I believe by and large does a good job for Auckland. I do not advocate for the central government in Wellington replacing Watercare with another entity not controlled by us, Watercare is a council owned body answerable to Auckland. Some diligence in their spending on 'non core infrastructure' should be completed with priorities being fixing pipes and proactive replacement of aged failing assets.
Built environment
I support future housing growth being prioritized within our existing city, close to main transport links, our schools and communities - 'brownfield development' developing on previously built on land. We need our housing to be affordable and livable, building more urban sprawl with no infrastructure on Auckland's outskirts seems nonsensical. Heritage protection is important and should be sensibly maintained to retain our city's character. Central government needs to contribute more.
Natural environment
We are very spoilt with our natural spaces, our beaches and bush all being so accessible. Through our council engaging with our communities, utilizing volunteers, trusts, non-profits and other stakeholders, council could achieve more practical results that are more specific to different communities. I would advocate for a back to basics approach and for the action to be community led, with council using its current budget sensibly and acting as a provider and organizer of resources.
Community
For the council to keep our communities engaged and connected with each other I will advocate for continued funding of our community hubs, acting as multi use facilities and providers of local engaged networks, supporting local needs. Sensible council investment in our communities could be driven and delivered better by our local boards having more autonomy in this, I will advocate for local knows best. Delivery of these services need to be consistent with sensible council spending.
Economic and cultural development
Our economy is struggling, Auckland's current unemployment rate is higher than the national average. I will strongly advocate that when international tourists arrive in Auckland, at this point of entry, they are subject to a visitor levy, this levy being used for Auckland's promotion specifically on major event bidding and local community events. The cultural heritage of our city is diverse and I support long term funding for our events such as Pacifika , Lantern and Diwali festivals.
Well-managed local government and outcomes for Māori
I support the Auckland Future Fund, this fund diversifying our investments and for it to remain to be administered by the independent trustee board. Councils management of Ports of Auckland requiring the port to improve its financial returns, streamlined with the possible return of some of the downtown wharves to council is sound. I will advocate that the Ports of Auckland is not sold. Our special relationship with Mana Whenua should be supported, and continue to flourish.
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.