Viewpoint – Getting together on gangs

If this year hasn’t already felt like it was flying by, can you believe Christmas is just around the corner?

It feels like summer has arrived, but it’s also been good to get some rain, as Council water restrictions are still in place.

The great thing about summer on the Coast is spending quality time with friends and family, and enjoying our beautiful parks and beaches. I really enjoy helping out with Patrols at Orewa Surf Lifesaving Club. I spend a bit of time patrolling between the flags and might get a chance to chat with you on the beach. Can I remind everyone to please be vigilant around the water this summer.

We’ve all made a huge effort as a community to minimise the impacts of Covid-19. Let’s continue to shop local and help support our local businesses.

I’d like to thank everyone again for your support in our recent general election. It is a huge privilege to represent and serve you. Two issues that I am working on immediately are ensuring that important infrastructure projects, like Penlink – which the Government has promised to deliver – are actually being delivered for our community.

The second is pulling together a coordinated approach across Police, local and central government, to tackle the increased gang presence in our community. Our local Police have been doing a good job at being proactive and policing the gangs, but I’d like to support their efforts with a coordinated approach. I’ve spoken with the Police Area Commander Mark Fergus, Councillor’s John Watson and Wayne Walker, and Local Board Chair Gary Brown, about pulling this together. My view is that we should be using all available legislation and by-laws to put pressure on gangs to move them out of our community. There have been dozens of examples around the country recently where gangs are growing in confidence and numbers, and feel empowered to show publically that they are above the law. We will work together to prevent that from happening in our own community.

Please, stay safe over the holiday period, have a wonderful time with your friends and family, and I look forward to seeing you all over the summer break.

For any urgent matters or emergencies that arise over the Christmas break, you can contact me on my mobile 021 075 9501.