Maiden Speech Notes

Cameron Brewer – Councillor for Orakei, Auckland Council

Tuesday, 2 November 2010
 
 

Affordability key to making Auckland the most liveable

It is an honour to be elected the first councillor for the new Orakei ward on the Auckland Council.

As the only councillor who’s never sat on a council before, it is a privilege to be among such local government experience and strong community advocates. Every one of us has a great mandate. No one was relying on special votes.
Today I promise to work hard to represent everyone in the Orakei ward from Kupe Street in Orakei, to the Ellerslie-Panmure Highway, Merton Road in St Johns, and from St Mark’s Road in Remuera to the far reaches of Glendowie.

Orakei is a beautiful urban ward and its people are diverse, and increasingly younger. The median age is 38. Thirty-three percent were born overseas, and 15.3% are of Asian ethnicity. Orakei is of course the home of Ngati Whatua who I look forward to working closing with.

The challenges this new council faces are daunting.

We will be a region of two million people by 2031. We need to get on and build the infrastructure required, without taxing our suburban ratepayers out of the city.

By 2031, we’ll have over 320,000 residents in the region over 65 years of age, with 40,000 of them being over the age of 85. Let’s keep Auckland affordable and accessible for our seniors. I believe affordability is key to delivering on the mayoral vision of making Auckland the most liveable city in the world.
Auckland is New Zealand’s commercial headquarters. Having been a business advocate as chief executive of the Newmarket Business Association for five years, I am looking forward to establishing the Business Advisory Panel, working with business advocacy groups, business districts, corporates, and the region’s lifeblood - our small-to-medium sized enterprises. Auckland can only succeed if business continues to succeed.

I am also looking forward to chairing the District Plan and Urban Design Forum. One of the first things I want to see is the successful Auckland City Urban Design Panel extended region wide, with region-wide representation. If Auckland is to be truly internationally competitive, its urban design needs to compete internationally. The public demands that we do so much better with our built environment and we need some big wins on urban design this term.

Like every Aucklander, I care strongly about resolving the city’s transport issues. One of the projects I want to see real progress on is a new harbour crossing. I’m excited about the proposal for a new, stand-alone bridge for the Waitemata. It makes better transport, economic, and environmental sense than the alternatives. 

A new iconic bridge could transform Auckland as a place to live and visit. When the New Zealand Transport Agency presents its assessments in the coming months, let’s have a really good look at the prospect of a new striking stand-alone bridge, with the possibility of it being called the ANZAC Bridge to commemorate the ANZAC Day centenary in a few years’ time. It could be a powerful statement of identity. Let’s have a really good look at it.

Finally, it’s humbling to think that a 37-year-old who grew up in rural Taranaki could be elected as an independent to the top table. But that’s Auckland.

When I left Wellington less than nine years ago, I never anticipated the opportunities Auckland would provide my young family.

Auckland’s success has been built on free enterprise and the acceptance of all people – whether they’re from around New Zealand or the world. That spirit must continue. Auckland has been great to so many of us. Let’s now make sure future families get the same opportunities.

Thank you.

Ends

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