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 am standing for the Whau Ward as an independent under our own brand of "Voice of the People". I have no Party political affiliations and will bring an independent oversight and perspective to Council decision making. As a committed Christian, I treat everyone equally with love, compassion and empathy. I bring many terms of previous service here in Auckland and Canterbury on Local and Community Boards, so I know local body workings. Council is dominated by political party ideologies and has 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, and wastage is rife causing substantial unnecessary annual rates rises. I will hold bureaucratic decision making accountable, such as the proliferation of speed tables and bumps everywhere, and stand up against the behind 'closed door' rubber stamping by committees.
Why I want to be elected
To represent the residents of the Whau Ward as a true Independent as I have no unelected political party masters to please. I believe there is inequity in how our decisions are made and funds are distributed. In a previous role on the Avondale Community Board one of my roles was as Transport spokesperson and we created a cooperative network with non council service providers to ensure that works were coordinated and were a benefit to our community first and foremost. This is currently lacking.
My key skills and qualities
I am a true Independent and I have substantial Local Body experience, business experience, volunteer experience and a Christian moral and ethical approach decision making and financial accountability. I am not beholden to any political party masters and I am prepared to stand out from the crowd to highlight truth and honesty.
My top three key issues
1. Political interference in decision making. When political party candidates dominate a board you witness funding and works decisions that influence voter blocks rather than based on community interests. 2. Transport infrastructure. lack of reasonable road and footpath infrastructure maintenance while funds are wasted on ineffective and damaging speed tables and bumps. 3. Inequality and division of our community. Treaty issues and climate issues need to be openly and honestly discussed.
My position on key topics
Transport
To recreate working groups including non council contractors to ensure roads are brought up to an acceptable and reasonable state. Currently pothole repairs and resealing are done with water based seal instead of the oil based tarseal previously used. Repairs have a significantly reduced lifespan over previous solutions. Our bus services replicate our train services by route. I prefer buses to supplement train service on a local route service feeding the main train lines.
Water
Water services should be owned by Auckland Council on an inhouse basis. The current Watercare system is independent of Council and has its own legislation which creates a suedo privatisation of the water services. Water services should be for all Aucklanders equally and not politicised with unelected oversight
Built environment
The candidate has chosen not to provide a response.
Natural environment
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Community
We currently have residents and organisations that are more equal than others. Every resident and especially ratepayers should be treated equally irrespective of their ancestry or political persuasions.
Economic and cultural development
We are all New Zealanders first, and a persons culture is an individual thing which underpins their individual sense of identity. I do not believe our ratepayer funding should be used to promote minority groups based on ethnicity, ancestry, sexual preferences or political allegiances.
Well-managed local government and outcomes for Māori
I believe the Treaty of Waitangi (1840) is an great and sacred compact, and was drafted and signed and accepted by both sides as a document based on Unity, Accord and Respect founded in God our Lord. It has been rewritten and reimagined repeatedly in modern times, and especially since the passing of the Treaty of Waitangi Act in 1975 which monetised the Treaty. Subsequently it has been used to attain power, money and privilege. The ports of Auckland are a business venture owned by ratepayers.
Candidate's supporting links
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