South Auckland Councillors To Seek Re-election

Tuesday, 31 December 2024, 3:50 pm
Article: Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter

Two councillors have confirmed they will stand for re-election next year in a bid to advocate for South Auckland.

Manurewa-Papakura's Daniel Newman and Franklin's Andrew Baker said they hoped to continue another term as councillors.

Newman's biggest priority was to continue advocating for the delivery of funded projects, and Baker wanted to see through the biggest developments in Tāmaki Makarau in his ward.

"I am working through a range of projects that I will be campaigning on for the betterment of my ward," Newman said.

Newman was first elected as councillor in 2016.

He said he wants to see CCTV security measures for The Gardens, improvements at Netball Manurewa, further storm water upgrades in Wiri, and the roll-out of a dog desexing campaign to tackle the current challenges in both Manurewa and Papakura.

"And I want to see the continuation of balanced budgets that avoid 15 to 20 per cent Wellington City-type rate increases."

Newman said he was looking forward to seeing the Mill Rd project progress after it was categorised as a project of national significance by the government.

The approval of a fortnightly trial for rubbish collections in Tāmaki Makaurau was a big disappointment for him this year.

"[I] believe it is vital that we have a voice for continuance of the weekly collection service for the health and sanitation of communities across the Auckland region."

His position as the deputy chairperson of the Wiri Licensing Trust gave him a unique position to deliver community projects that benefited his constituents, he said.

This included the upgrades to Nathan Homestead, Manurewa Tennis, Jellicoe Tennis, Papakura Tennis and Squash, new infrastructure for Papakura Coastguard, CCTV security upgrades in Conifer Grove and Waiata Shores and indoor training facilities for cricket.

Baker is a first term councillor after being elected in 2022.

"I wanted to be a councillor as I believed there was change needed across council in how, where, why and when we did things," he said.

"We are seeing some significant change that I believe is good for council, Auckland and Franklin so I want to continue to see those changes continue."

He wanted to continue the work of reminding council that there was more to Auckland than the urban areas and CBD.

"Franklin is one of the areas seeing greatest change and development and I want to make sure we get the best out of that possible.

"This is the time we are seeing the dirt being moved and new areas of living and business created so I want to make sure we don’t waste the opportunities ahead of us."

The Auckland local body elections will be held on September 9, 2025. Candidate nominations open on July 4, and close on August 1.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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