My principal place of residence is in the District-Wide Councillor area.
It has been a privilege to be one of your Councillors this term, and I would be honoured to continue this work. I have a background in law and science, and a heart for our community. I have experience in commercial and property law, governance, research, tertiary sector, strategy and equity advice. I'm also mum to a one-year-old, and strive to anchor each Council decision in what is best for the next generation. To ensure New Plymouth keeps being an incredible place, we need to support each person in our community, especially those who often don't have a voice. We need to look after our environment and respond to climate change, while transitioning to a low emissions economy and ensuring that no one is left behind. We need to do this for our future, but also for our children, our grandchildren - because your future matters, and so does theirs.
He waimarie nōku ki te noho ki waenganui i te Kaunihera i tenei wāhanga, arā, he hōnore nui ki ahau ki a mahi tonu i ngā mahi. He kaiwhakawhiwhi ahau, he kaiputaiao, he ngakau nui tōku mō to tātou hapori. He wheako āku mō te kawanatanga, ki te rangahau, ki te whai ture rawa me te umanga hoki. He māmā ahau ki taku tamaiti, kotahi tau tana pakeke, arā, me whakarite, kia mau tonu a Ngāmotu hei wāhi whakahirahira, me tautoko i a tangata ki roto i tō tātou hapori. Me tiaki tō tātou taiao, kia kōkiri atu ki ngā rerekētanga e pāngia te taiao, ā, ka whakawhiti atu ki te tukanga ohanga iti nei, kia kore tātou e noho mokemoke ana. Ka tika, he huarahi tēnei mo ō mātou tamariki, mo ngā mokopuna o te āpōpō. Me mahi tahi tātou mo te oranga o te katoa.
Yes. The rates increase is required to address the long-term deficit of investment in our water infrastructure, and to ensure our community assets will serve the needs of our children and grandchildren. Deferring that work does not serve our community in the long term.
Yes. I have concerns about some parts of the reform, including accountability structures, long term efficiency and the inclusion of storm-water. However, it is universally agreed that something needs to change, and this reform will improve water infrastructure. I haven’t yet seen any credible and well-researched alternative model.
Yes. Weather patterns are changing due to climate change, and are likely to intensify. We have legal and moral obligations to reduce our emissions, and to ensure that our infrastructure and communities are prepared. Taking action presents opportunities for our district to be positioned as a progressive, innovative and sustainable centre.
Yes. NPDC’s role in supporting business is to ensure that infrastructure is up to scratch, our district is vibrant to attract both talent and clientele, and we have a regulatory system that strikes a sensible balance between safety and innovation. NPDC is doing that work, but there’s more to be done.
Yes. Having a Māori ward will help NPDC to fulfil its obligations as a Treaty partner. The values of tangata whenua include looking after people, the environment, and making decisions that best serve the next generations. Having that perspective at the decision-making table can only improve decisions.
NPDC has been working on better serving these communities by ensuring that Community Boards have more voice and influence, and have funding available for projects in their communities. This has increased their ability to support local initiatives, by people who best know and understand those communities. That work must continue.
The amount invested in the hub should be capped at $40 million. Other sports facilities have been entirely funded by sports codes and other funders. There are community needs that Council must balance against the need for this asset.
Making the best decisions possible for our children and grandchildren. That means responding to climate change, looking after our infrastructure, and making sure that there is intergenerational equity in the way that we pay for it.
