Ngā kaitono poari kaitiaki raihana ā-waipiro 2025Licensing trust candidates 2025

Wiri Licensing Trust

#LoveManurewa

Candidate statement

Joseph Allan knows how hard it is for small clubs to obtain funds, no matter how worthy the cause may be. He made his first grant application 33 years ago for saxophones so young children could learn how to play music. And over the past 25 years he has run a local charitable organisation that provides affordable music tuition to Manurewa Youth. Joseph Allan has been pleased to support local organisations over the past 3 years, as an elected Wiri Trustee. He acknowledges the success of these community groups is largely due to passionate and dedicated volunteers who have a heart for the people of Manurewa. He can't do it alone. To ensure transparency of funding, the quality management of Trust Assets and continuation of valued partnerships, vote All six #LoveManurewa candidates. Vote Joseph Allan, Ally Billaney, Mandeep Kaur, Luella Linaker, Ezekiel Robson and Audrey Williams. Vote #LoveManurewa.

Wiri Licensing Trust

Manurewa Action Team

Candidate statement

Lives in Wattle Downs. Attended James Cook High School. Helped establish the Wattle Downs Residents and Ratepayers' Association, and the Reremoana Netball Club. Heather Andrew wants to join with Brian Blake as Chair and Daniel Newman as Deputy Chair to continue protecting the Wiri Licensing Trust as a vital community asset that funds club salaries, new and renewed community assets, and local events that celebrate Manurewa as a great place to live, work and play. She is pleased with progress being made for sporting, cultural and community assets in Manurewa, and she wants to see the Trust maintain that support. While supporting larger capital projects, Heather will also be a voice for smaller local clubs that often need support too, such as Manurewa Croquet Club. She wants to continue the Trust's operational commitment to so many clubs and codes. Please vote for Heather Andrew and every other Action candidate.

Wiri Licensing Trust

Labour

Candidate statement

Apulu Reece Autagavaia is a trained lawyer and is currently elected to the Otara-Papatoetoe Local Board as Chair, which overlaps the Wiri Licensing Trust area. Reece is a proud, born and bred South Aucklander. He is married with two sons, and lives in Hillpark. He was raised in the Samoan Methodist Church and now attends Elim Christian Church Manurewa. His household loves serving their church, family and community. Reece graduated with a Law degree from the University of Auckland. He started his legal career at large city litigation firms and practiced Maori Land Law and Treaty claims in Manukau. He has extensive governance experience, having sat on the Problem Gambling Pacific Board, school Boards of Trustees and the Auckland Airport Community Trust. Reece has astute analytical and advocacy skills which he is honoured to continue to use to serve the diverse community in the Wiri Licensing Trust area. #VoteAutagavaia #VoteLabour

Wiri Licensing Trust

#LoveManurewa

Candidate statement

Ally Billaney brings a wealth of experience in management and delivery relevant to the Wiri Trust. In the Hospitality Industry she was Duty Manager at the Alexandra Park Function Centre, with up to 600 patrons on race day. At a busy Auckland Airport hotel she was Executive Housekeeper and Assistant Food and Beverage Manager. Ally is experienced at managing costs and managing budgets. Ally is Service Manager for Te Hā Oranga supporting whānau through mental health and addiction services. Ally was a Funfest volunteer when it first started in 2008 and is now a Trustee, helping create happy family memories, including a dedicated day for children with disabilities. Ally Billaney has given 10 years volunteer service in Manurewa, including Manurewa Playcentre, Hillpark School PTA and Neighbourhood Support. To ensure transparency of funding, the quality management of Trust Assets and continuation of valued partnerships, give six Wiri Trust votes to #LoveManurewa.

Wiri Licensing Trust

Manurewa Action Team

Candidate statement

Lives in Wattle Downs. As Wiri Licensing Trust chairperson, Brian Blake has worked to significantly reduce its debt, boost hospitality operations like Woodside, and make significant community contributions to grow the asset wealth of local clubs and charities. Key milestones for Brian include a new indoor training facility for cricket at Memorial Park, refurbishment of Homai Bowls, support for Papakura Coastguard and Manurewa Christmas in the Park, and new mountain bike tracks at Totara Park. New salaries have been introduced for sports clubs, and crucial resources funded to support charitable outreach for house rough sleepers. Brian Blake is also working to support the establishment of a sustainable local food bank. As an Action candidate, Brian supports the retention of the weekly household rubbish collection service as championed by Councillor Daniel Newman - a weekly service for public health and cleanliness. Please vote for Brian Blake and every other Action candidate.

Wiri Licensing Trust

Labour

Candidate statement

My name is Li'amanaia Lorenzo Kaisara. I'm a proud South Aucklander living in Manurewa. I currently serve as an elected member of the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board and work full time as a Community Engagement Manager for Tāmaki Health, the largest private healthcare provider in South Auckland. I'm passionate about breaking down barriers and improving access to health and support services for our whānau. Since being elected in 2023, I've worked hard to honour the trust placed in me, advocating for grassroots solutions that put people first. I'm standing for the Wiri Licensing Trust to continue my service, ensuring community funding from local licensing is directed to initiatives that benefit our people, particularly in education, health, and wellbeing. I bring strong governance experience, lived knowledge of our communities, and a heart of service to everything I do. With your support, I'll continue to represent our voice with integrity, accountability, and purpose.

Wiri Licensing Trust

#LoveManurewa

Candidate statement

Mandeep Kaur has spent over 20 years keeping communities safe as a police officer, retiring at the rank of Senior Sergeant, working in victim support, family violence, and road safety. Mandeep wants funds to stay here in Manurewa, supporting local sporting clubs, resident associations, crime prevention, and family events. She supports funding across the community including schools and all ethnic communities, making sure no one is left behind. Mandeep backs groups helping older people to remain active, stay connected and maintain independence in the community. She is a proud grandmother who has raised responsible Kiwi citizens, now graduates making positive contributions to society. She is an accredited mentor and restorative justice facilitator and currently completing postgraduate studies in drug and alcohol counselling. To ensure transparency of funding, the quality management of Trust Assets and continuation of valued partnerships, give six Wiri Trust votes to #LoveManurewa.

Wiri Licensing Trust

#LoveManurewa

Candidate statement

Luella Linaker brings over 10 years of governance experience as the Chair of a Manurewa sports and events centre, Co-Chair of OXFAM Aotearoa, and Board Member on the Beautification Trust. She knows how valuable funding is to non-profit community groups. Luella has 9 years experience at Auckland Council in strategy and operations. She is now the Chief Executive at The Pride Project, leading the well-recognised community group; delivering pathways for youth facing challenges, and real opportunities for change. It's time for change! School camps provide important life-lessons in a safe environment and we should not be turning our back on them. Luella was raised here and is dedicated to addressing injustices that keep people poor, and helping volunteers who give life-saving support, like Coastguard and Victim Support. To ensure transparency of funding, the quality management of Trust Assets and continuation of valued partnerships, give six Wiri Trust votes to #LoveManurewa.

Wiri Licensing Trust

Manurewa Action Team

Candidate statement

Lives in Weymouth. A long-serving member of both the Wiri Licensing Trust and the Manurewa Local Board. By far the longest-serving trustee, Rangi has been steadfast in protecting the Wiri Licensing Trust as a vital community asset that funds club salaries, new and renewed community assets, and local events that celebrate Manurewa as a great place to live, work and play. Every club salary, every capital project, every piece of equipment purchased, and every uniform supplied has enjoyed Rangi's support - he is the ultimate friend and supporter of everyone in Manurewa, and he expresses that friendship and support at every Trust meeting. Rangi seeks to live the mission of the late Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII: 'Amohia ake te ora o te iwi, ka puta ki te wheiao - the health and wellbeing of our people is paramount.' Please vote for Rangi McLean and every other Action candidate.

Wiri Licensing Trust

Manurewa Action Team

Candidate statement

Lives in Hillpark. Attends Manukau New Life Church. Glenn Murphy is one of the four Manurewa Action Team trustees who made good on every Action promise, including: upgrades to Weymouth and Manurewa Rugby clubs, the refurbishment of Homai Bowls, a new indoor training facility for Manukau Cricket, improvements at Manurewa Tennis, the restoration of the Manurewa Methodist Church Corner of Hope, a new kitchen at the Takanini Gurdwara, and a new mountainbike track at Totara Park. Glenn also contributed to initiatives that fostered community well-being, including the Tōtara Hospice Whānau Room renovation and funding of the Manukau Symphony Orchestra. Always demonstrating a deep understanding of the community's needs, Glenn's efforts have made a lasting impact on the lives of many, and Glenn's contributions have been invaluable. By supporting local projects, Glenn has helped build a stronger, more resilient community. Please vote for Glenn 'ActionMan' Murphy and every other Action candidate.

Wiri Licensing Trust

Manurewa Action Team

Candidate statement

Lives in Wattle Downs. Attends St Anne’s Catholic Church. With Brian Blake as Chair and Daniel Newman as Deputy Chair, the Wiri Licensing Trust is more financially resilience, debt has been paid down, commercial returns are solid, and local hospitality jobs have been saved. Daniel has been the go-to councillor for countless local club and other charity projects, e.g. refurbishments at Homai Bowls, Weymouth Rugby, Manurewa Rugby, Manurewa Tennis, Manurewa Squash, Papakura Tennis and Squash, Manukau Cricket, Papakura City FC, Conifer Grove Netball, Papakura Coastguard, Papakura Community Patrols, Manurewa Methodist Church, Shiv Mandir, CCTV in Wattle Downs, Waiata Shores and Conifer Grove, the Takanini Gurdwara, and the Nanaksar kitchen replacement. Club salaries have been sustained in part due to Daniel’s commitment to reinvest back into Manurewa. He has helped many projects succeeding long after others gave up and went home. Please vote for Daniel Newman and every other Action candidate.

Wiri Licensing Trust

#LoveManurewa

Candidate statement

Ezekiel Robson served as Chairperson of a National Lottery Grants Board Committee. His leadership proved essential for wise decision-making when funds were limited. Ezekiel has over 20 years of history in non-profit Board and Management experience including making many successful funding applications for charities in violence prevention, disability advocacy and youth work sectors. From volunteering as a Youth Counsellor, Mentor and Group Facilitator with Youthline, Ezekiel knows the importance of providing positive engagement for our young people, including school camps and other programmes. Ezekiel supports community-led endeavours to minimise the negative impacts of alcohol and gambling-related harm. Ezekiel's knowledge and integrity will help deliver greater collaboration between funding agencies, ensure funds reach those who need it most, conflicts-of-interest are acknowledged, and opposes further asset sales without consultation. To ensure transparency of funding, the quality management of Trust Assets and continuation of valued partnerships, give six Wiri Trust votes to #LoveManurewa.

Wiri Licensing Trust

#LoveManurewa

Candidate statement

For 20 years, Audrey has significantly shaped the region's business landscape, including transforming Wiri into one of its largest business associations, now evident in her management role at Business Manukau. Her dedication extends beyond professional work into her voluntary contributions across five different community trusts in health, sports, environment and the arts. Audrey has led and supported the Beautification Trust for nine years, serving seven years as Board Chair. Under her leadership the organisation has grown its outreach and has become an award winning operation. Andrey prioritises local clubs and groups, community safety, and the environment. She has the business acumen required, and an impressive history of service to charitable organisations and the community, making Audrey a strong choice for your vote. She can't do it alone. To ensure transparency of funding, the quality management of Trust Assets and continuation of valued partnerships, give six Wiri Trust votes to #LoveManurewa.

Wiri Licensing Trust

Manurewa Action Team

Candidate statement

Lives in Manurewa. Matt Winiata wants to join with Brian Blake as Chair and Daniel Newman as Deputy Chair to continue protecting the Wiri Licensing Trust as a vital community asset that funds club salaries, new and renewed community assets, and local events that celebrate Manurewa as a great place to live, work and play. Matt helped secure the FIFA Futsal Unity pitch for Manurewa shortly after he was elected to the local board in 2022. Now he wants to continue that success with other local projects, including a multi-sport facility for clubs at Memorial Park, upgrades to Manurewa Table Tennis, Manurewa Athletics, and further improvements to Manurewa Rugby. Matt is part of the Manurewa Action Team, which means he will stick to a team plan for affordable progress for the Trust as it invests back into our community. Please vote for Matt Winiata and every other Action candidate.