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Kaipara-Mangawhai general ward candidates
Dennis Emsley
I am a Yorkshireman bred and born with a British passport, but I also consider myself a Kiwi having lived in this country since April 1972, and I have a New Zealand passport. For the past 25 years or so I have been a temporary resident of Mangawhai, and for the past four years I have lived here permanently. Between 1964 and 1969 I looked after the Queen and other members of the Royal family as a member of the Queens Guard, based at various palaces and Royal residences throughout England and Scotland.
I have a wide range of both skills and experience at senior management level within the interior design, fulfilment, property management, sales and marketing sectors.
Currently, I’m a member of The Guards Association, the RSA and chairman of the Mangawhai Rotary Club. I have no political affiliations.
I was prompted to stand for election because, like Rotary, I wanted to serve my community, give something back and help to put right the wrongs of the current council, who have failed to comply with the LGOIM Act, had major budget blowouts and failed the residents and ratepayers on other critical issues through the lack of integrity and transparency.
Climate change, flooding in low lying areas and growth of my community that may affect its unique culture and environment, are what I consider the single most prominent issues moving forward, and they need to be managed wisely and correctly by council.
Sometimes you need to be able to stand up to council with a ‘no-bull’, call ‘a spade a spade’, ‘let’s get it done’ kind of attitude, and that is how I will serve my ward. Being pro-active throughout the three-year term, taking on board the needs and wants of my constituency, putting them first and serving with integrity.
Martina Tschirky
Our family moved to Mangawhai permanently in 2003 from Great Barrier Island, where we ran a homestay business, and our son went to Rodney College. Most people here know me as the local flower lady, Flowerpower Northland, as I am regularly at the Mangawhai Tavern market and have been a florist for over 20 years growing some of the flowers and foliage on our lifestyle block.
We have seen a lot of change in Mangawhai and Kaiwaka, not always for the better. As a former chair of the Mangawhai Ratepayers and Residents, I have worked with the Kaipara District Council closely, also more recently while being on the committee of the Mangawhai Community Market.
At the last elections there was a lack of candidates in our area and I want the voters to have a choice. Mangawhai is at a crossroads: Development has exploded and we are at high risk of losing our character and lacking vital infrastructure to accommodate that growth.
I believe that I am a good listener and team worker and am aware that rate increases year after year are causing hardship to people on a low income.
Transparency in decision-making is key and regular communication with community groups and individuals is crucial. I think Council has made good progress in keeping interested people informed through their email list. Overcoming people’s apathy will be an ongoing issue though. Open days are good and Council’s website still needs to be made more user friendly.
Sadly, the single most important issue facing the Kaipara is climate change – our Council needs to stop issuing building permits in areas where sea level rises and/or heightened erosion are forecast and create a meaningful District Plan which protects and enhances the Kaipara as a whole.
Mike Ferguson
So, I am a generationally connected member of the Mangawhai community whose family connections to the district go back to 1862. After a period away for education, service in the NZ Army as an officer, I built a successful career in the corporate world before returning to reside here and embark on my last career, school teaching.
I have been prompted to stand after being approached by a number of the community, who know me well and have seen the real work I have done in the community over decades. After hearing my submission, representing the community over the Mangawhai Central plan change, the voices to stand have become more insistent and I have taken the challenge. I am standing as an independent.
The most critical issues facing Kaipara is the district wastewater infrastructure and unstructured development growth before adequate infrastructure is in place. The current status quo has been caused from a number of poor decisions made behind closed doors that now have lasting effects on the community. It is time now to salvage what we can and produce a clear economical vision and path forward.
I come from a background of effective leadership with the ability to produce sound decisions and getting outcomes. I intend to use this superpower to galvanise my other councillors to:
• Work together and focus our main effort on sorting the large issues.
• Ensure that the council and councillors work together to produce outcomes that reflect the community’s true needs and aspirations.
• Set a future-proofed model that works for our community.
Mike Howard
I have been a permanent resident of Mangawhai for three years and I have owned property here for 22 years. I have been married to Ali for 49 years. I have been involved in community events at the Golf Club that raised over $380,000 and have held various offices at the club including president for six years. I am currently on the Kaipara District Council Advisory Group – Waste Water disposal options. I was the Northland elected member on the Golf NZ Board for nine years and worked for 44 years in the advertising/media industry.
I believe well managed growth is critical and I believe in one person, one vote.
Those who know me will attest that I am a doer! I was concerned about the significant loss of experience on council leading to this election and figured my background might, at least, be a little beneficial. I have had nine productive and rewarding years on the board of Golf NZ, finishing in December.
Being retired, I will have capacity. I believe hugely in the potential of the Mangawhai area. I also see the need to support growth, productivity and aim to deliver key services in the best possible manner across Kaipara District. I want to contribute as best I can!
Ultimately, it is the people of Kaipara who will identify the most important issue facing Kaipara. However, across the whole district, roading is a key issue as is our reliance on NZTA to subsidise any work. The size of our district could be said to be, by some, “great – keep it small”. However, there must be a relativity between paying population and ability to deliver all the services ratepayers require to an acceptable level. For Mangawhai area, we must have a well-planned growth management strategy that includes attracting industries that will add value, productivity and sustainability to the community. A digital/IT hub and golf tourism are two real opportunities to harness. Advocacy for a high school for Mangawhai area seems very logical given our growth.
I do not profess to know all answers but will learn as I listen. A realist, be assured I commit to work with all sectors of the community to ensure collective and long- term outcomes for optimal community benefit. Open communication and collective collaboration have been my strengths. I don’t intend to stop now. Most definitely, I don’t go into this process with any hidden agenda. Ultimately, I want to contribute to a local council that is the very best it can be at providing core services for its community.
That includes communication and a clear vision on what can be done to improve and sustain productive livelihoods of all our constituents.
Otamatea general ward candidates
Chris ‘Worzel’ Sellers
Born Auckland to a long established New Zealand family (7+ generations). Been twice round the world, sports mad and played first game of Senior Rugby at 17. Represented Marist, Suburbs, Otamatea and Hendon (UK) at club level along with a plethora of other teams that were short of a player on the day. Purchased my first property at 24. Traversed the North African Sahara Desert by motorcycle (Suzuki DR 400) in 1988. Lived in Otamatea since 1990. Am currently the Maungaturoto grave digger (hand dug) and I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.
I had decided to run against Jason Smith for Mayor to prevent him from gaining office effectively unopposed like last time. When Jepson and del la Varis-Woodcock entered the race I sighed in relief and put it aside. The afternoon before nominations closed I got an email asking me to stand for Council as Otamatea had only one candidate for two seats. My correspondent made the point that we needed representation. I got the form filled and filed about 15 minutes before deadline. Only to find there were now four candidates. However once I make a commitment I follow through. I am available to represent Otamatea.
I support: Individual freedom, including freedom of speech. A more prudent approach to fiscal management – no above inflation rate hikes. Less bureaucracy more oversight. Greater individual freedom and responsibility, less dictatorial compliance. Greater prudence, less rate rises. Greater local input (decentralisation).
I oppose: Centralisation of power (including Three Waters). Public servants being politicised to become government tyrants. Less government, not more.
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, an imperfect disciple of a perfect God. I care about many things. Wealth, status and popular approval aren’t on that list. I am by nature and by practice an inquisitive person. Any writer must also be a researcher. I will, as I have, use my pen and my voice to inform, expose and sometimes oppose
I have represented Otamatea (and Northland) at rugby and Maungaturoto at squash. To put it bluntly, I was a highly competitive and uncompromising hua. It didn’t always earn me friends but it did earn me respect. If you want a mealy-mouthed, spineless government lackey to represent you, vote for somebody else.
There is an adage that when the stakes go above a certain level it is never a straight game. A centralised local government is dealing with high stakes indeed. The express desire of central government to centralise council (public) assets (Three Waters) must be resisted.
I believe the fate of my eternal soul is more important than any short term gains I might obtain through lying, cheating or double dealing. I am rough, scruffy and too abrupt for the sensitive tastes of many. When I say “yes” I mean “yes” and when I say “no” I mean “no”, and when I say “I don’t know” it means I need to do a bit more research.
I live here, I don’t plan on leaving. You are my neighbours. I don’t necessarily like all of you but my God commands me to love you. If I hurt my neighbour, I hurt myself. The western empire is a sinking ship – I’d like Kaipara to be a life raft.
Graham Allott
I was born in West Auckland and moved to Mangawhai in 2010 with my wife. I am a mechanic by trade but have found working in the building industry more my fit and have been a busy LBP for around 30 years. I have enjoyed the privilege of becoming a part of the Kaipara District community and as a builder have had several dealings with the Kaipara District Council through building consents, inspections etc, not all being favourable or “user friendly” from my experiences. I am interested and now have the time to get more involved in the mechanics of the workings of the KDC. I believe my grass roots and no-nonsense attitude could be of benefit.
I am standing as an independent. Initially, I decided to stand due to their being a lack of candidates filling seats in various wards the week running up to nomination deadline, and the fear of central government putting in their commissioners to take over if there was a shortfall. Otamatea ward had only one candidate when I put my nomination forward.
I feel the most important issue in Kaipara at the moment is the voice of the community being invited and heard. I want a council that is democratic, transparent and accountable, which is committed to putting the best interests, determined by the people of the community, as their priority. I will bring honesty, integrity and hard work to the table.
Mark Vincent
I am one of the sitting councillors for the Otamatea Ward and wish to continue for another term. My wife and I have lived in the area on our lifestyle block for nearly 40 years, and are committed to this community. I have previous governance experience as chair of the Kauri Museum Board, in which I led a restructuring, as a former member of the Kaipara and Whangarei District Licensing Committees, Otamatea High School Board of Trustees, and as founder and secretary of Otamatea HarbourCare Society. This community group, which I am now stepping back from, has supplied over 140,000 trees for revegetation of waterways in our part of the Kaipara Harbour catchment over the last nine years. My wife and I perform as a musical duo at the Paparoa Farmers Market from time to time.
We are losing the expertise of our mayor, deputy mayor, and two other very experienced and capable members. There needs to be some continuity around the council table. I have only served one term, but as a former council executive, I have a substantial knowledge base to work from. This will be critical in facing the multiple challenges coming at us from central government at present. I want to serve the people of the Kaipara District.
The most important and immediate issue facing Kaipara will be getting the selection of the new chief executive right. This will be closely followed by dealing with the existential threats posed by the Three Waters reforms, the Resource Management Act reforms, and the Future for Local Government review.
Internally, I want to help build the council governance team with its new players into a high-performing unit with a shared vision, but a safe space for a diversity of views. Externally, I will continue my regular communications with local communities, and act in the best interests of the Kaipara District as a whole.
Maori ward candidates
Ihapera Paniora
Ko wai au?
All of my bones are in Tai Tokerau. I was born and raised in the Kaipara and have strong connections to this whenua. I whakapapa to Ngāti Whātua, te iwi o Te Roroa, Te Kuihi, te Uri-o-Hau, Patuharakeke and also tatai to various other hapū and iwi in the Kaipara and beyond. On my maternal grandmother’s side, I am a direct descendant of Chief Parore Te Awha who had a vision of a thriving township on the banks of the northern Wairoa River and who supported Mr Dargaville in his ambitions to establish a township, including the gifting of a number of parcels of land to benefit our community. On my maternal grandfather’s side I am a descendant of Chief Tiopira Kinaki of Te Roroa and this is why I feel a deep sense of connection to our ngahere, Waipoua Forest and our Moana.
He aha tēnei turu mō au?
I bring a fresh perspective and 16 years of experience in the public and private sectors. I promise to fiercely advocate for the things that matter most including the te taiao, tangata and whakaruru whare. I am a practicing lawyer and am currently Kaitiaki of te taiao at Ngāti Whātua Rūnanga.
He aha te take ahurei o Kaipara mō Māori?
I don’t think our issues are limited to the Kaipara but we are seeing it everywhere in Aotearoa, and the world. We must go back to the ways of our ancestors and put te taiao at the forefront of our actions. We do not inherit the land from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. Maanaki whenua, manaaki tangata, haere whakamua! If we take care of the earth, and we take care of the people, we will take care of the future.
Paturiri Toautu
Whakapapa
Ti hei mauri ora! Arohanui ki a Ihu Karaiti, Te Wairua Tapu, Ihowa. Kotahitanga.
Ko Mahuhu ki te Rangi me Mamari nga Waka. Ko Te Roroa Ngati Whatua o Kaipara Te Uri O Hau Ngapuhi nga Iwi. Ko Taoho raua ko Patuawa nga Rangatira. Ko Waikaraka Taita Tama Te Uaua Ahikiwi nga Marae. Ko Raroa toku Matua. Ko Betty toku Whaea. Ko Tiahowaiwai taku Kotiro. Ko Paturiri Toautu taku ingoa. Tena koutou tena koutou tena no tatou katoa. E mahi ana ahau i Kaitorangapu – Kaihanga Kiriata – Tohunga Mahi Toi.
Tino Rangatiratanga Liberation Roopu. Ko ahau te Rangatira.
What prompted you to stand?
Ko oku Whanau, Hapu, Iwi. Nga Tangata Whenua o te Kaipara rohe.
What do you feel is the most important issue facing Kaipara at the moment?
P/Meth. Korotake! Kino nui mo nga tangata o Kaipara. Patu ki te P/Meth!
How will you be an effective councillor?
Arohanui, mnaakitanga, mananui ki nga Whanau, Hapu, Iwi, Tangata Whenua o te Kaipara.
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