Warkworth Subdivision - Tracey Martin

Local Boards will need the skills to listen to communities, clearly discern their wants and needs and recognise the difference. The ward representatives are going to need advocacy and negotiating skills to sell the annual and three-year plans to the Council, which will set the budgets accordingly.

I don’t see it as my role to have a predetermined outcome for Warkworth. The role is one of listening, gathering information, being able to prioritise those into needs and wants and being a conduit for communication between the Council and our community. Each of our many communities has a vision for their specific area and the wider vision, with regard to services and future development. My job will be to listen, not come into it believing I have all the answers.

The Mahurangi region is at a crossroads with the development of the new motorway, the incorporation into Auckland and the possible increase in tourism. The predicted growth and development, how this will affect our schools, services and sense of community are important issues. I would like to be part of good decision-making that makes this growth period a positive experience. We don’t need to panic but we do need to plan, and plan well.

We have some strong local bylaws and strong vision documents for our area that we need to retain. I also see areas for improvement in local recreational facilities. In my time with both the primary and secondary schools I have become very aware that we fall into a funding hole in many areas. A stronger transport system, that better caters for the young and the elderly, would be a great outcome.