AMENDMENDED Press Release
11 August 2010

Browny Continues to Build a Stronger Far North

Far North Mayor Wayne Brown wants another three years in the district's top local body job.

He announced this week he will stand for Mayor again in October’s local government elections after winning the job in 2007 with a near 2-1 majority and a thumping 10,141 votes.

“I’ve been holding off announcing my candidacy just in case someone younger and brighter came forward to carry on my work. I hoped we might have a new candidate who was as committed and passionate about the Far North as I am. Clearly this hasn’t happened,” says Brown.

"I see huge potential in the Far North and I want to commit my energy and enthusiasm for another term to keep our momentum going," says the Mangonui-based businessman, civil engineer, company director and keen surfer.

“I love this area, I know the people, the challenges and the unique opportunities we have. I simply cannot stand back and watch the progress I’ve made over the past three years go to waste and reverse the great achievements made,” he adds.

On other candidates, Mayor Brown says; “Laurie Byers may well be a long-term local, and whilst he talks about seeking commercial activity and investment, his 10-year track record while representing Kaikohe does not suggest that this will happen”.

“As for the new bloke, Goulter, he’s only been involved in one thing in Northland and that turned out to be a disaster with Advance Whangarei losing around one million dollars of ratepayers’ money.”

“I invite Mr Goulter and Mr Byers to have an open public debate on the issues at any time, any place. As Mayor, I regularly attend public meetings, and as always I will openly discuss issues and answer any questions in a straight-forward manner.”

“My focus at the last election was based around a need to change council’s attitude, and performance. I really took that opportunity to kick-start changes required to get the council back on track”.

“My experience in achieving goals and building teams really came to the fore. What I’ve subsequently found is that it didn’t take long before the council was voting together to advance the Far North – in fact, in my time as Mayor, over 95% of votes were unanimous, and of those that were not, there was usually only one dissenter.”

“Running on a ticket was important last election to get immediate traction. Some want to run a ticket again, but I work very well with some independent councillors like Ann Court, who may not formally be part of my team, but share the same vision of prosperity of the north. At this stage, running on a ticket is still undecided, but I am pleased to see there are some great new candidates about to declare, plus some of our very successful Community Board chairs are stepping up to join me”.

Regarding operational expenses of FNDC, “Now that council is running more efficiently and with operational savings of over $8m per year so far, we need to maintain this positive momentum. My main priority now is focusing on improving the economy of the Far North.”

He points to what he and his council have achieved in the last three years:

Building permits and resource consents are now much quicker to obtain, moving us from third-worst to top ten performers but we can still do better and intend to!

Rate rises have been held to a 3.3% increase each year, half of what they were before I arrived and a third of this year’s Regional Council rise

Economic activity will rise on the back of three Rugby World Cup teams staying here; the mineral aerial survey will drive new investment and job growth while still protecting our environment; the Coast to Coast Cycleway offers many new tourism opportunities and the Proposed Upgrade of Ngawha Hot Pools will add a wet weather attraction to our tourism mix.

Ongoing savings at council of over $8m per year with more to come from the 40 less staff now producing more work that will ease cost pressures across the district.

New innovative solutions for roading and sewerage will make much needed improvements affordable.

“We have also completed a vast number of important community projects and facilities right across the Far North,” concludes Brown.

Some of these achievements include:

Stone Store footbridge completed within budget and with handrail free ford!
Kerikeri Domain upgrade
New Kerikeri rugby/netball facilities
The Centre and Bay Sport finished with council help
te Ahu, rescued after $1m of poor spending, with new cinema, museum, library, council offices and i-site in with the Hall upgrade
Mangonui boardwalk re-done to reflect community wishes for a timber boardwalk
Lindvart Park upgrade, synthetic hockey field and Pioneer Village funded
Hokianga i-site up and running well
Public beach access has been improved at Takau Bay, Doves Bay and Shipwreck Bay
Kaeo flood mitigations have been agreed and funded
Kaitaia’s water supply will be assured with new artesian supply
Kerikeri/Waipapa structure plan underway

ENDS

www.votebrowny.co.nz
ABOUT WAYNE BROWN

A family man, current Mayor of Far North, employer, business owner and contributor to the Far North. Lived in Northland since his early twenties, happily married to Toni, currently lives in the beautiful harbour village of Mangonui. Has two children, Lucy and Sean, who went to school in Northland, and now two gorgeous grandchildren.

CURRENT MAYOR
I’m already in the job. I know the people, the places, the problems and the solutions. I have delivered results. Now I want to lock in our savings and keep the council progressing forward.

QUALIFICATIONS
BE (civil engineering) • FIPENZ (Fellow Institute Professional Engineers) • FIDNZ (Fellow Institute Directors)

LOCAL EMPLOYER FOR MANY YEARS
Engineering, horticulture, planning, environmental auditing, building, apparel, property development right across the Far North.

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE IN BIG ORGANISATIONS
Chairman, Transpower • Chairman, Northland District Health Board • Commissioner and Chairman, Tairawhiti District Health Board • Chairman, Auckland District Health Board • Chairman, Vector • Chairman, Kordia • Chairman, Land Transport Safety Authority • Director, TVNZ • Director, Maori TV • Director, Southland District Health Board • Director, Renaissance Group

COMMUNITY WORK
Trustee, Kerikeri High School Board of Trustees • Founding Chairman, Northland Horticulture Cadet Scheme • Director, Fruitgrowers Society • Founder, Tai Tokerau Free Tertiary Fee scheme • Trustee, Sport Northland • Bumbling actor, Keri Players • Chairman, Main Street Kerikeri • Approved restoration builder, NZ Historic Places Trust

SPORT
Player and coach, Kerikeri Rugby • Manager, Bay Union • Founder, Bay Board Riders founder • Committee member, Kerikeri Cruising Club • Brown belt, Taekwondo • President and National Team Manager, Surfing NZ • And still the worst golfer, Whangaroa Club

MEDIA
Columnist, Northland Age • Columnist, Sunday Star-Times • Author, The 5 Minute MBA (published in English and Portuguese)

IN-DEPTH KNOWLEDGE OF FAR NORTH DISTRICT
Engineering jobs all over the Far North, notable being Kauri Cliffs, Stone Store restoration, Kohukohu sewerage scheme, packhouses, coolstores, irrigation dams, commercial buildings and maraes.

© Scoop Media