My Account
All Albany Ward and Hibiscus & Bays (Hibiscus subdivision) candidates were invited to submit a short profile and answer four questions. There was no response from Callum Blair, Sylvia Yang, Nicholas Mitchell and Sion Stavrovski by deadline. Contact details were not available for Tony Corbett or Nancy Stride. • All candidates were asked if they were affiliated with, or a supporter of, any political party, organisation or advocacy group and if so, which ones. All claimed they had no such affiliations, apart from the group they are standing with for these elections. However, voters are urged to do as much of their own research as they can before voting, including asking candidates direct questions. • Candidates are presented in random order (names were pulled from a hat), grouped with Council candidates first, then Local Board. Info: www.voteauckland.co.nz
Alezix Heneti – Albany Ward
This is my seventh time as a Mayoral candidate – Auckland three times, Hamilton two times, Far North and Hastings bi-election. That’s 21 years offering to serve my community.
Because I care. Gutsy Kiwi.
At 62 years of age I’m back at Massey University fulltime distance Bachelors Business Property. I care.
Q: What issue will you prioritise if elected, and how will this benefit the Hibiscus Coast?
A: Put money back into your pockets from the council. How? Easy – take less from you and make do, better, with what council already has. Having lived six years in Ōrewa (two years in the Nautilus) I know how locals deserve to get more cash back, to locals. Stop taking from the locals. Give back money to the locals. And stop charging unnecessary charges.
Q: How can you prevent this area being overlooked in central city decision making?
A: Easy. Speak up. All the time. Be in council. Be the voice for locals. Say, Hibiscus Coast needs this, and deserves this, and will get this. Being outspoken in council for Hibiscus Coast is easy when you are in council. Vote me in. I am fearless for those who need me to be, for them. I am relentless and successful in getting good important things for good local people.
Q: Growth seems to be unchecked. What can Council do to ensure environmental balances and infrastructure keep pace?
A: Build effectively with matching infrastructure. Ensure community consultation is carried out with all locals involved. Check all environmental and construction and local economics are fairly considered and supported in all environmental issues and infrastructure issues. Remember all locals have necessary input. Keep the locals happy, and the developers and investors happy.
Q:How can Council improve its performance, while living within its means?
A: Simple. It’s like any local has to do. Cut costs. Reduce. Re-use. Re-purpose. Economically assess carefully every expenditure, cost , overhead and future planning and trim, trim, and trim again. While still getting powerful, legal, positive, safe outcomes for locals. Possible? Yes. Doable? Yes. If Covid lockdown of four months has taught us anything. It is that I can do this. Strong leader.
Wayne Walker – Albany Ward
Coast resident for 33 years with Julie and family. Auckland University Commerce degree business, organisation, project management. Owner/manager large garden centre/landscape team, project manager large water quality/water saving projects, qualified planning commissioner. Toastmaster national champion impromptu speaking, tennis player, past president local ratepayers association, community trustee, Rodney then Auckland Councillor.
Q: What issue will you prioritise if elected, and how will this benefit the Hibiscus Coast?
A: Top priority is to make the most of unprecedented projects already underway especially Penlink and Northern Motorway improvements. We should advance the busway north, Weiti walkway-cycleway to Silverdale/Ōrewa, new Archers Block park, new Whangaparāoa Park-and-ride future proofed for EVs and ride-share, with intersections designed for efficient traffic flow, and use environmental compensation to restore local streams and bush.
Q: How can you prevent this area being overlooked in central city decision making?
A: A Hibiscus Coast transport strategy is needed to maximise and lock-in project gains including joined-up bus and ferry services, walkways/cycleways, park-and rides and incentives to change behaviour. Density controls should reflect local infrastructure and geographical limits.
Q: Growth seems to be unchecked. What can Council do to ensure environmental balances and infrastructure keep pace?
Protect local golf courses from sale, a Gulf Harbour marina strategy building on the safeguarded Hammerhead and marina land, sedimentation quantity rules protecting beaches and Hauraki Gulf, improved stream, stormwater and coastal management to prevent flooding and erosion. More realistic development contributions to fund infrastructure, parks and community facilities.
Q: How can Council improve its performance, while living within its means?
A: Operational efficiencies and revenue increases from Ports and operations to offset rates. Improved Council performance comes from councillors working as a team – putting you first, rather than what government imposes (like the undemocratic 3 Waters and flawed housing intensification). That means listening, understanding, working with, being genuinely accountable to, then acting on your interests. More accountability from CCOs – especially Auckland Transport. Emphasis on council measures and management to reduce crime and make Coast communities safer.
Victoria Short – Albany Ward
As the current Deputy Chair of our local board, I have seen first-hand the missed investment opportunities for our community. I am standing to bring the needs of residents back to the forefront of Auckland Council with an emphasis and laser focus on delivery and value for money.
Q: What issue will you prioritise if elected, and how will this benefit the Hibiscus Coast?
A: Our infrastructure has been forgotten and is woefully inadequate with no obvious remediation programme in place for the Hibiscus Coast and surrounding suburbs. Our roads are choked with congestion, when it rains sewage spews onto our beautiful beaches, and now worrying future housing intensification plans. I will prioritise new infrastructure investment and progressing overdue maintenance programmes.
Q: How can you prevent this area being overlooked in central city decision making?
A: Within Auckland Council the elected majority rule. We have been locked out from all negotiations and decisions for years. I enter the role with a clean slate, free from conflicts-of-interest, with strong integrity and the respect of other elected members. I will work with whoever is elected to the table to get the job done. We are not getting value for money and we have been left behind.
Q: Growth seems to be unchecked. What can Council do to ensure environmental balances and infrastructure keep pace?
A: We must protect and preserve our green spaces, forests, beaches and waterways. As Auckland continues to intensify, these spaces will become even more precious. They will not be sold under my watch, and we must support the wonderful community groups who maintain and protect them for future generations.
Q: How can Council improve its performance, while living within its means?
A: I am an extremely hardworking, dedicated mother of two daughters, who will demonstrate our community’s expectation of council employees by example. Ratepayers are not receiving value for money by international contractors; the procurement process must be urgently reviewed with preference for local contractors/suppliers. There is current inequity in council expenditure, with North Auckland subsidising development and services across the rest of Auckland, which I will fight to change. We must get our fair share!
John Davies – Albany Ward
I’m standing for Council and Local Board. For Council, we’re overdue for change and a new perspective. I’ll collaborate to get more done. For the Local Board, I bring a common sense, community-first position. I will support local groups who are often unknown but achieving much.
Q: What issue will you prioritise if elected, and how will this benefit the Hibiscus Coast?
A: Local amenity is my priority. This Council and local board have failed us with an incredibly slow four year timetable to build the Ōrewa seawall and failure to give urgent priority to a Whangaparāoa Community Hub. If elected, these will be my priority along with improved maintenance for existing amenities.
Q: How can you prevent this area being overlooked in central city decision making?
A: First we need councillors who know what collaboration means. I sit on three Trusts all of whom work on consensus decision making. I know how to work with others to get things done. Through collaboration, we can sway more people around the Council table to support Coast and Bays initiatives.
Q: Growth seems to be unchecked. What can Council do to ensure environmental balances and infrastructure keep pace?
A: Council fails to enforce. They claim they cannot. I would investigate why they cannot and, if this is more of a ‘do not want to’, find ways we can ensure the environment is protected. On infrastructure, we must limit green field growth and focus on where we can intensify and ensure that existing infrastructure is grown and maintained.
Q: How can Council improve its performance, while living within its means?
A: Council performance improvement is down to key decisions that balance cost with the essentials. My decision making will be guided by the legislated essentials that Council is meant to meet under law. The best way to improve performance on key issues is to close programmes that are not working. In our area for instance, why would we do optional roadworks on Ōrewa Boulevard when we have failed to deliver a community centre for Whangaparāoa? That is the fresh independent view I would bring to Council or Local Board.
John Watson – Albany Ward
I’ve lived on Coast for 30 years, raising my family here. I have an MA (Hons) from Auckland University, college teacher, captain Northcote Tigers, Hibiscus Coast Cricket Club, youth coach in rugby, cricket, league, basketball. Royal Society Teachers Fellowship 2002-10. President of the WRRA, Whangaparāoa Community Trustee, Rodney District councillor, Hibiscus local board, Auckland councillor.
Q: What issue will you prioritise if elected, and how will this benefit the Hibiscus Coast?
A: Penlink is starting construction this year. My priority is to maintain momentum and additionally leverage this $830m project for further community gains (through Archers Block reserve acquisition, Weiti River walk/cycleway to Silverdale, new Whangaparāoa park and ride terminal). We did this successfully with Northern Motorway improvements (eg. Rosedale International Hockey Centre) and can do so again with this amazing opportunity.
Q: How can you prevent this area being overlooked in central city decision making?
A: The Coast is the beneficiary of over $2 billion worth of transport infrastructure via Northern Motorway improvements, busway extension and Penlink. Additionally big increases to future bus and ferry services were funded through this year’s budget. Central decision-making therefore has no option but to leverage the new $30m Hibiscus Coast Station to the max and roll out these enhancements while the big projects are completed. When both come together, we’ll have one of the best-connected regions in Auckland.
Q: Growth seems to be unchecked. What can Council do to ensure environmental balances and infrastructure keep pace?
A: That balance is under constant threat. My track record is one of safeguarding reserves, marinas, golf courses from sale and retaining public open space, as occurred in 2020, securing control and ownership of Hammerhead and Gulf Harbour Marina. Also consistently lobbying for stronger environmental protection through better sedimentation controls that are actually available now.
Q: How can Council improve its performance, while living within its means?
A: That starts with strong, independent councillors working together, not party-political blocs merely following orders. Councillors in touch with their communities and capable of bringing informed, decisive representation to an organisation too often removed from the people it serves. My sincere hope is that this election will deliver the effective, efficient and accountable performance Aucklanders deserve.
Jake Law – Albany Ward
I was born and raised on the Hibiscus Coast. I am a primary teacher with more than seven years’ experience. Incredibly passionate about community, I have spent time painting community murals and accompanying my grandfather while he served as Rodney Mayor. I am standing to offer solutions.
Q: What issue will you prioritise if elected, and how will this benefit the Hibiscus Coast?
A: I will prioritise improving transport options, as the Hibiscus Coast is already facing congestion issues and this will be exacerbated by future growth. Penlink is coming and will play a role in easing congestion, and we must demand that the bus station and public transport along Penlink are open from day one. We also need rapid and frequent express buses from the Hibiscus Coast Bus Station to Whangaparāoa and Ōrewa.
Q: How can you prevent this area being overlooked in central city decision making?
A: I will work to build positive relationships around the council table to win more for the Hibiscus Coast. It’s important our councillors are focused on their areas, but they need to have the support when the time comes to demand local investment.
Q: Growth seems to be unchecked. What can Council do to ensure environmental balances and infrastructure keep pace?
A: Auckland is a growing city, and our children and grandchildren need to find affordable places to live. We all have the right to live and work in the areas we were born and raised. To limit intensification of suburbs, council has a role in zoning areas like Hobsonville for higher density developments. Growth should be focused around public transport hubs and business centres, as well as closer to the city centre.
Q: How can Council improve its performance, while living within its means?
A: Council needs to show that it is connected and engaged with residents, and actively listening to need. Stronger cooperation between council CCOs will save cost and improve efficiency. Targeted rates need to be reinvested back into the communities that are being asked to contribute. Investing in resilient and high capacity infrastructure will ensure our communities are better supported into the future.
