My Account
The hoardings are up and campaigning has begun in earnest as general election candidates vie for the support of local voters.
Act’s David Seymour got in first, with a public meeting locally back in March (HM March 20), and another more recently.
Next cab off the rank is Labour. On August 10, a group of around 20 people came to the Presbyterian Hall in Ōrewa on a chilly night, to hear Labour candidate for Whangaparāoa, Estefania Muller Pallares (Stef) and Northcote MP Shanan Halbert talk transport and the environment.
The majority were Labour Party faithful and although some older attendees said they missed the days “when you could heckle at meetings like this”, the only interjections were positive and supportive ones.
Halbert said that the election was going to be “a tough fight” for Labour, but that the party is ready. “We have fought for it before,” he said.
He spoke about the recently announced additional Auckland Harbour crossings, saying although they will take decades to achieve, planning ahead was vital. “Auckland Mayor Robbie was talking about it 50 years ago,” he said.
He also talked about issues popular with local voters such as potholes (Waka Kotahi apparently repaired 54,544 of them last year) and said state ownership of public transport would have meant more say regarding the future of the Gulf Harbour ferry.
Muller Pallares, aged 25, is placed 55 on Labour’s list. She highlighted local environmental initiatives that she is involved with, including the planned expansion of Whangaparāoa Recycling Centre. She noted the importance of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Reserve to ocean sustainability.
During questions from the floor, the future of the pines on Ōrewa beachfront was discussed, and although there was affection expressed for the historic trees, many were in favour of managed retreat from the reserve which would likely see the pines removed.
Muller Pallares said her focus since the last election has been on making politics accessible to young voters, providing online resources and communication.
She is looking forward to her first campaign.
Meet the candidates
Two chances to meet and quiz local candidates are coming up this month. • On Friday, August 25, Grey Power is holding its Meet the Candidates event at St John’s Catholic Hall in Centreway Road, Ōrewa, 1.30pm. • Business Whangaparāoa offers a chance to meet candidates on Sunday, August 27 at the Hibiscus Coast Community RSA, Vipond Road, Stanmore Bay, 2pm-4pm. Both meetings so far have five local candidates, as well as representatives of parties seeking the party vote confirmed to attend.
NZ First stands in Whangaparāoa
Whangaparāoa local, Janina Massee, recently announced her candidacy for NZ First in the Whangaparāoa electorate. The mother of three, who has nine grandchildren, has a degree in accountancy, and an executive Masters in business administration (Hons). She has more than 30 years of corporate experience, having held senior roles in local government and national corporations, as well as first-hand experience as a business owner and manager of a large private subdivision. She says this gives her insights into the diverse challenges our community faces. Janina describes herself as a trouble-shooter, change management specialist, and business strategist.
