Media release – More Diversity Required on Auckland Council

Nominations for our Mayor, Councillor and Local Board Members open this month. If you are passionate about our community, if you want to bring about positive change, I would encourage you to visit the website www.voteauckland.co.nz and get nominated.

There are hundreds of issues across communities that include parking, public transport, sewage on beaches, heritage / character protection and supporting business districts. You do not need to be part of a political party to solve these issues. However, you need to be an effective decision maker, deciphering complex information and financial reporting, be an effective communicator, finding the right avenues for advocacy, not shy away from the public spotlight, be accessible and have time up your sleeves. Be prepared for that phone call on Christmas Day.

As the only independently elected member on the Waitemata Local Board this has not hindered my ability to influence and be effective. In fact being an independent is a blessing because you can avoid the party politics, you’re not predetermined in your decision and you have the ability to work between political spectrums on behalf of your community.

At the the end of the day you need to be able to look at yourself in the mirror knowing you made the right decision.

I believe that it’s critical your elected representatives reflect your community. The average age of the Waitemata & Gulf Ward is 30 years old and we certainly need an injection of more creative and vibrant young people into local government. We need to bring to the table representation across a diverse group of ages, ethnicity, gender to derive the best possible outcome for our community.

Nominations for local government elections open on Friday 19th July.

ENDS

© Scoop Media