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The order of the candidates profiles was determined by pulling their names from a hat.
Kathryn Flay, Advance NZ
Kathryn is a nurse who moved to Orewa in 2004 and is married with a blended family of four. She and her husband purchased Pukeko Early Learning Centre in Stanmore Bay in 2016.
What two key things are essential to improve recovery from the economic impact of Covid-19 at local level? An essential focus must be to return to a normal and sustainable level of commerce as soon as possible. We must remove restrictions and implement a more balanced and risk-based approach to protect vulnerable persons while allowing us to resume business operations safely. Second, we must remove excessive taxation.
What is the biggest (non-Covid-19) issue facing the electorate, and what would you do about it? The high cost of living, sky rocketing home-ownership and renting costs, and transportation and infrastructure problems. We must approach our lives, communities, and environment in a more holistic manner, remove many existing regulations, and apply the best technology and practices if we are to be a prosperous region.
Development is rapid in our area. How would you balance this with environmental protection? Valuing ecosystems as though they possess personhood encourages more respect for our environment. We must ensure that: recreational green spaces are within the reach of all Building Consents being issued; allow for Planning Consent for Off-Grid housing in rural locations; plan new suburbs and townships to work within the establishment of new industries to provide more jobs; alternative energy and waste management options must be explored further.
Penlink is on the Government’s books. Do you support the 2-lane or 4-lane option?
I fully support the four-lane option.
Local food banks and support agencies have seen a huge increase in demand – what would you do to alleviate poverty? I would support schools to promote growing food as part of the curriculum. I would promote access to community gardens. Advocating for the removal of GST on non-luxury grocery items is a high priority for me. Increased support for agencies to assist with budgeting advice and emergency food support is also a must. We need to review emergency housing spending to provide more people with stable, affordable housing.
How would you ensure local health and education needs are provided for as Whangaparaoa grows? I would advocate for more local control in the prioritisation of our community’s needs. Our health and education services have been under-funded for many years. We need to value holistic preventative health and natural remedies for body, mind, and soul and support families to access the services that are right for them. We need to reduce waiting lists. I would ensure that families have access to transparent curriculum information. Education must be made affordable for all. I would advocate for investment in school property and staffing.
Fiona Mackenzie, New Conservative
Fiona began her career as a teacher before moving into finance, while gaining a BA and MBA from Auckland University. She became NZ General Manager for an international public relations agency. Once her kids arrived, Fiona became self-employed, providing marketing/PR/publishing services. She spent six years as Te Araroa Pathway’s Northern Project Manager. Hibiscus Coasters for 33 years, Fiona and her husband have adult sons and own a business that has been operating nationwide for 32 years. Her leisure pursuits include getting into the great outdoors.
What two key things are essential to improve the economic impact of Covid-19 at local level? The electorate’s economic health depends on struggling businesses building up again and new ones getting established. To facilitate this, Government must: inspire greater confidence that it can maintain the integrity of our borders, quarantine and testing facilities, and provide the backup of adequate hospital care. Government must get out of the way of people able to create businesses and employment. This means removing red tape, obstacles and expenses (eg the RMA, ETS, Zero Carbon Act, regional fuel tax, minimum wage increases).
What is the biggest (non-Covid-19) issue facing the electorate and what would you do about it? Government needs to forget the nice-to-haves and the spending on ideological agendas and interest groups, and focus on getting infrastructure and support services up to scratch, to match the increasing number of people. Focus needs to be on affordable housing, internet access, roads, transport, sewage, water, rubbish, schools, health facilities and crime prevention. We also need the fast tracking of North Auckland business/industrial parks so that employment can be found closer to home.
Development is rapid in our area. How would you balance this with environmental protection? Higher density populations put a greater strain on the environment. To minimise the damage, town planning must go hand-in-hand with commonsense, geographical constraints and infrastructure capacity. So the National Policy Statement on Urban Development must be repealed. It stops Councils from imposing height restrictions of less than six-stories or carpark requirements. This could severely impact Whangaparaoa and Orewa.
Penlink is on the Government’s books. Do you support the 2-lane or 4-lane option? I support four lanes (with pedestrian and bike paths). Saying that, Penlink will not solve congestion east of Stanmore Bay and Coast Plaza. Whangaparaoa Rd and its intersections also need attention. Until infrastructure issues are sorted, I’d like to see a temporary hold put on the building of any more high-density dwellings on the peninsula.
Local food banks and support agencies have seen a huge increase in demand – what would you do to alleviate poverty? Even before the massive lockdown hit, NZ was a low productivity/high cost environment. Long-term fixes include increasing education standards, encouraging innovation, removing obstacles to business and growing a capable workforce. New Conservative also wants to provide greater support to families raising children via tax reform and community services.
How would you ensure local health and education needs are provided for as Whangaparaoa grows? We need to get our economy pumping again, to grow funds for public services. Government must get back to basics, eliminate ideological programmes, wasteful spending and red tape. As soon as financially feasible, Whangaparaoa electorate needs greater St John Ambulance capacity, access to another northern hospital, and more schools.
John Davies, Sustainable NZ
John Davies has been a Coastie since 2002. He works in the not for profit sector and finding ways to make NGO’s sustainable is part of his everyday life. He runs a community theatre and is a Trustee and Chair of both Future Whangaparāoa Trust and Life Education Trust Rodney. His local priorities are seeing the creation of a Whangaparāoa Community Hub and keeping chemical free weed control in Auckland.
What two key things are essential to improve the economic impact of Covid-19 at local level? A strong network of community facilities that provide foot-up services for family units under stress, and a focus on local job training and creation that removes dependence on locals needing to travel both to learn skills and find jobs.
What is the biggest (non-Covid-19) issue facing the electorate, and what would you do about it? The convergence of technological change and social innovation provides a path to sustainable development. Our Innovation Policy provides a plan to harness the creativity and synergy between business, academia and government to deliver a sustainable, prosperous future.
Development is rapid in our area. How would you balance this with environmental protection? It is the government's role to set a framework and create incentives, not take over and crowd out things best done by local communities. We aim to deliver predator free Aotearoa by 2050. We will wage war on weeds using sustainable solutions. We will apply the best science and technology to advance conservation. Sometimes this will limit development; I have met very few locals who wholeheartedly agree with the often chaotic path to intensification in Whangaparāoa.
Penlink is on the Government’s books. Do you support the 2-lane or 4-lane option? Four-lane. We need a solution that delivers public and active transport options.
Local food banks and support agencies have seen a huge increase in demand – what would you do to alleviate poverty? Poverty is alleviated by people being in productive, happy and safe work. We believe this is contributed to through our policies around innovation (see question 2)
How would you ensure local health and education needs are provided for as Whangaparaoa grows? Better tech development will contribute to developing futuristic solutions, particularly in education. This feeds into an ability to deliver better health and education results in communities.
Mark Mitchell, National
Mark was born and raised on the North Shore. His first job on leaving school was shepherding on Weiti station. He had a 14 year policing career mostly as a Police Dog Handler and member of the Armed Offenders Squad. On leaving the Police he started his own small business and then moved to the Middle East where he formed his own company and sat on the management board of a global logistics company. In 2011 he returned home with his family and re-entered public service as the MP for Rodney. He was Minister of Defence and Associate Minister of Justice in the last National-led Government and is proud to have delivered projects like the Puhoi to Warkworth road, new school classrooms and improved mental health services, to name a few. He is a proud father of five, loves the Coast, and the privilege of serving our community.
What two key things are essential to improve the economic impact of Covid-19 at local level? It’s important that we continue to buy local and support local businesses where we can. The delivery of Penlink is important. It’s very important that Government’s policy settings are clear and provide certainty for business owners so confidence and energy can return.
What is the biggest (non-Covid-19) issue facing Whangaparaoa electorate, and what would you do about it? Traffic congestion is our biggest issue. The delivery of Penlink will provide much needed relief in our stressed traffic network. I campaigned in 2017 that if National were re-elected we would start Penlink in 2018. The current Government has committed to a start date in 2021. If elected to Government, National will start Penlink immediately.
Development is rapid in our area. How would you balance this with environmental protection? Sustainability must be at the centre of everything we do. As a coastal region, protecting our water quality is a priority and National is committed to ensuring water quality is improved so we can all enjoy this resource and spend time on the water. Our economy depends on our environment and our ability to care for our environment depends on the success of our economy; being open to new technologies and cross-party discussions is vital to ensuring this balance on both a local and regional level.
Penlink is on the Government’s books. Do you support the 2-lane or 4-lane option? During the 2017 election I campaigned on a two lane Penlink as I just wanted to get it started and this is what my own team would agree to in terms of cost. This election I have secured support for a four lane option and will be campaigning on a four lane Penlink with an immediate start date. It’s ready to go.
Local food banks and support agencies have seen a huge increase in demand – what would you do to alleviate poverty? We know that investing in social wellbeing early provides the best support for long-term wellbeing. National will continue our Social Investment approach to tackle the root causes of disadvantage. We plan to provide access to quality dental care for kids, tackle Meth harm, keep people in jobs by supporting small businesses, and create more jobs by ensuring opportunities are created such as new infrastructure projects and more accessible training. I will also continue to have regular meetings with our social service providers to ensure that I am accurately representing the needs of our most vulnerable in Parliament.
How would you ensure local health and education needs are provided for as Whangaparaoa grows? I place great importance on the strong working relationships I have with our local schools and Principals and this has really helped create strong advocacy and positions us very well for meeting the demands of growth into the future. National is committed to a total investment of $4.8 billion in new spending over 10 years. As well as upgrading existing schools, this funding also includes creating new classrooms and new schools across NZ. We deserve the certainty of knowing when we’re sick or in pain we will get the healthcare we’re paying for with our taxes. National will put more money into Pharmac to ensure more affordable medication is available. We will also address regional disparities in the delivery of elective surgeries. Currently, each DHB is allowed to set its own criteria to decide which patients are eligible for elective surgeries. We’ll work with surgical specialties to establish a common points system which prioritises the most urgent patients and ensures equitable access to healthcare.
Lorayne Ferguson, Labour
Lorayne has been a primary school teacher, probation officer, and social worker in the geriatric unit at North Shore Hospital. In the UK she acquired social work and management qualifications and managed community, day care, residential and inpatient services in the area of older people’s mental health. She and her husband returned to NZ seven years ago, retiring to a hectare of native bush in Redvale. They participated in the Predator Free Corridor project initiated by Forest and Bird, and enjoy adding to their modest collection of prints and watercolours by living Kiwi artists.
What two key things are essential to improve the economic impact of Covid-19 at local level? What must happen before the economic damage can be repaired is largely beyond any politician’s control. It needs the revival of international tourism, alongside the return of foreign students. But no government would throw open the border before it was safe to do so. What we can do in the meantime is ‘spend local’. All politicians should balance their messaging: keep ourselves and others safe but let’s have some fun and boost the local economy.
What is the biggest (non Covid-19) issue facing the electorate and what would you do about it? This varies across the generations. For school-leavers: access to tertiary education and job opportunities. Fees Free will encourage many to begin a university degree. Free apprenticeships and trade training offer sound alternatives. Job creation in the “green economy” will be more attractive to some. Those in employment may prioritise transport: travelling to and from the city daily. Penlink will open in 2025, and park-and-ride at Silverdale is being extended. Older residents are, we know, concerned about access health services. This includes mental health services in which the government has invested heavily.
Development is rapid in our area. How would you balance this with environmental protection? There is real concern locally about the pace and extent of development. This is especially true on the peninsula. However the Auckland Unitary Plan reveals that development on Whangaparaoa has almost reached capacity. In other parts of the constituency, development will continue for some time. Therefore we must do everything we can to ensure developers live up to their obligations. There are rules they must adhere to, such as those regarding contamination via site run-off, waste minimisation and removal. The consenting authority (Auckland Council) must actively monitor all development and ensure compliance.
Penlink is on the Government’s books. Do you support the 2-lane or 4-lane option?
I support four lanes; two as designated bus lanes that will improve transport options.
Local food banks and support agencies have seen a huge increase in demand – what would you do to alleviate poverty? The government’s ambition is to halve child poverty in 10 years. To that end many financial burdens have been lifted from families: free GP visits for children up to 13; no more parental “donations” in decile 1-7 schools; no more NCEA exam fees; and for those really struggling, Free and Healthy Lunches in Schools will feed 200,000 children. Beneficiaries have had their benefits indexed to wage growth; a rise of $25 per week and the doubling of the Winter Energy Payment. Finally – rents. The private sector is expensive but the 3981 “public” houses built since 2017 offer an affordable alternative.
How would you ensure local health and education needs are provided for as Whangaparaoa grows? Labour’s health investments now include 120 new elective surgery beds at North Shore. Covid-19 responses have highlighted the possibilities of expanding tele-medicine which reduces the need to travel for some consultations. Meantime, Whangaparaoa is crying out for more locally supported provision of Out-of-Hours Emergency Healthcare, Ambulance, and Fire. Labour’s planned investment in education includes new primary and secondary schools at Wainui, plus new primaries at Orewa Northwest and Milldale.
Paul Grace, ACT
I own a forme making company, where I worked for 15 years before taking it over in 2000. I am proud to be an innovative small to medium enterprise owner who has developed my business into one of the most technological cutting forme makers in New Zealand and that I am able to employee six team members. I have 3 children and live in Waiwera with my partner and her son.
What two key things are essential to improve the economic impact of Covid-19 at local level? People across Whangaparaoa are feeling the economic impact of Covid-19. ACT will cut taxes to get the economy moving again and Kiwis back into work. We’d temporarily cut GST to 10 percent and permanently cut the marginal tax rate paid by those on the median wage from 30 percent to 17.5 percent, simplifying the tax system to three rates –10.5 percent on the first $14k, 17.5 percent on the next $56k and the rate on income above $70k would remain 33 percent.
What is the biggest (non-Covid-19) issue facing the electorate, and what would you do about it? Congestion is a big issue. ACT believes NZ must follow international best practice and replace ineffective and unfair fuel taxes with road pricing. Congestion is not only a major frustration, but also a handbrake on economic growth.
Development is rapid in our area. How would you balance this with environmental protection? ACT will replace the Resource Management Act with new law to promote best practice in protecting and enhancing the environment as part of major projects and when land use changes. The major risks to the environment should be treated separately to minor risks, and the solutions will be led by communities, individuals and business in partnership with government.
Penlink is on the Government’s books. Do you support the 2-lane or 4-lane option? Politicians shouldn’t be making these kinds of decisions. Governments have, for years, chosen where to build roads, bridges, and railway lines, based not on the economic need, but on political advantage. ACT would take the politics out of infrastructure.
Local food banks and support agencies have seen a huge increase in demand – what would you do to alleviate poverty? Food banks have seen a huge increase in demand with mass lay-offs and redundancies meaning people who paid high taxes on their incomes find they get little back in benefits. ACT has an employment insurance policy that includes: 0.55 percent of tax paid will be allocated to an Employment Insurance fund. On loss of employment the taxpayer can claim 55 percent of their average weekly earnings over the previous 52 weeks (or fewer). The maximum yearly insurable earnings amount is $60,000. The insurance can only be claimed for one week for each five weeks the person has worked, up to a maximum of 26 weeks per claim. Someone who has worked continuously for only one year could claim up to ten weeks Employment Insurance.
How would you ensure local health and education needs are provided for as Whangaparaoa grows? ACT would reduce politically motivated, wasteful spending in other areas so we can invest in core areas like education and health. Our alternative budget proposes to invest more in public health, so we’re prepared for the next pandemic. We will put education funding in the hands of parents through Student Education Accounts. Families will be able to take their share of funding to any school, public or private, that will accept their child’s enrolment.
Tricia Cheel, Outdoors Party
I grew up on a dairy farm in Dargaville and spent the last 40 plus years in Auckland. I have battled against toxic and polluting substances and practices including glyphosate, 1080, fluoride, cell sites and destructive subdivisions. My life has been blighted by fluorotoxicosis and vaccine injuries, making me acutely aware of the value of good health and dismayed by the stranglehold the pharmaceutical industry has on our health system, and global interests have on our economy and government.
What two key things are essential to improve the economic impact of Covid-19 at LOCAL level? The Outdoors Party’s Covid Escape Plan would safely lift most restrictions in as little as 30 days, allowing people to get back to work and improving overall health. Long term solutions lie in putting the environment and people before corporations and money.
What is the biggest (non-Covid-19) issue facing the electorate, and what would you do about it? Access to jobs, health care, education, recreation, and the fundamental needs of housing, clean air, pure water, and wholesome nutrient dense organic foods.
Development is rapid in our area. How would you balance this with environmental protection? Natural, non-toxic and locally sourced materials together with hempcrete and wool insulation could be incentivised and paid for through reduced transport costs and long-term economies. Natural watercourses must be protected together with tree cover and native vegetation.
Penlink is on the Government’s books. Do you support the 2-lane or 4-lane option? Historically, smaller less expensive transport options turn out to be false economy, however the Outdoors Party would review that in the light of localism and agro-ecology to predict whether transport needs in the future may change, especially in the wake of Covid-19.
Local food banks and support agencies have seen a huge increase in demand – what would you do to alleviate poverty? Changeovers to organic regenerative agriculture will be incentivised. At the same time the Universal Dividend will give everybody the assurance that their basic needs are met, including affordable housing.
How would you ensure local health and education needs are provided for as Whangaparaoa grows? Lifting GST off organic food while increasing that on sugary drinks and junk food, will help form the foundation of good health. Professional services will be integrated with natural and traditional providers so everybody has the health care of their choice. Covid has shown that the education system can be far more flexible and adjustable to the individual needs of the child.
How they will vote on dope
Local election candidates were asked how they will vote in the upcoming referendum on the legalisation and control of cannabis, and why. Their responses, below, are in alphabetical order by surname:
Tricia Cheel, Outdoors party
No – I don’t support the proposed Act in it’s present form because it doesn't provide enough protection for under 25-year-olds.
John Davies, Sustainable NZ
Yes. I err towards people’s freedom to choose weighed against the responsibilities that come with those choices, and the impact on others.
Lorayne Ferguson, Labour
Yes. At first I was inclined to vote No but after studying arguments from those working in addiction and mental health treatment, particularly Dr Vanessa Caldwell, I have changed my mind; I am following the science.
Kathryn Flay, Advance
No. Marijuana is already readily available and decriminalisation would suffice, without the need for Government revenue gathering and increased prices on an already poverty ridden demographic.
Paul Grace, ACT
Yes. There is a strong case that prohibition is a failed policy. ACT will honour the referendum result.
Fiona Mackenzie, New Conservative
No. Medicinal marijuana is already available, but legalising the drug for recreational purposes would exacerbate problems for parents, employers, public services and the vulnerable in our communities at a time when we need the whole country working for the greater good. We simply can't afford the financial or social cost.
Mark Mitchell, National
No. Legalisation of cannabis in NZ will lead to more use and more harm. It is terrible public health policy.
