Graeme Hunt Stands For Auckland Council

Journalist, author and historian Graeme Hunt is standing for the new Auckland Council. He is contesting the Albany ward as part of the independent North Now ticket.

Graeme and Saluma Hunt. Saluma (née Ioane) is a human resources manager, originally from Niue, working on the North Shore.

Hunt, 57, who lives with his wife Saluma in Greenhithe, said he was seeking election to the council to “keep it honest and deliver tangible benefits to ratepayers”.

“I support the idea of a single council for Auckland but remain skeptical about whether it will deliver value for money.

“The experience of local government reform in the UK is that it took several attempts over many years to achieve the desired economies of scale.

“There is a very real danger that unless outstanding leadership and good governance are in place, and a culture of service and efficiency exists, that the new council will be a disappointment.

“I don’t want this to happen, hence my decision to contest the election.”

Hunt said it was important that the North Shore’s way of life and special character were not subsumed in a giant, one-size-fits-all bureaucracy.

“The interests of the North Shore are best served by an independent, local voice rather than a party machine from across the bridge (Auckland Citizens & Ratepayers Association) that has no standing on the Shore.

“We need businesslike councillors who are careful about spending other people’s money and committed to best practice in local government.

“This means limiting rate increases to no more than the rate of inflation, capping councillors’ travel and overseas junkets and stripping away unnecessary bureaucracy.

“Ratepayers expect big things from this new council. It is important that those elected don’t disappoint them. It’s a big job but one I look forward to, if elected.”

Hunt, who is self-employed, said he would fit his campaigning around his writing assignments and client work.

He is a former editor-at-large of the National Business Review and a former editor of the Rich List. He has written 10 major books, mostly on New Zealand history or politics, and edited several others. He is a member of the New Zealand Society of Authors and the Professional Historians’ Association of New Zealand Aotearoa.

Hunt is deputy chairman of One Tree Hill College Board of Trustees (his old school, formerly Penrose High School) and held a similar post on Kelston Girls’ College Board of Trustees.

He is a former member of the West Auckland Health Services Foundation, a private body that provides extras for the health service.

He has long been a trenchant critic of MMP and is campaigning for its removal.

Hunt has adult children, a son and daughter, from a previous marriage.

North Now seeks support from electors committed to lean, efficient local government. It is not part of any political party but will work with other tickets and/or independents on the Auckland Council, including the Auckland Citizens & Ratepayers Association, to ensure the council delivers the best core services within its budget and gives Aucklanders the governance they deserve.

For more, see:
www.graemehunt.co.nz
www.NorthNow.org.nz

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