My Account
All candidates were provided with four questions. The order that candidates are listed was drawn at random. Candidates not featured did not respond to the questions prior to our deadline.
Wayne Walker
Auckland Council, Albany Ward
I have lived on the Coast with my family more than 30 years with children attending local schools. Commerce degree in project management, marketing and organisation. Business experience in manufacturing, design, water quality and conservation, past large garden centre owner/manager, author of local publications. Committee member at many local clubs and societies, tennis player, RSA member, NZ champion Toastmasters, community trustee initiating community garden, Love Soup Kitchen, Rodney District councillor, current Auckland Councillor.
What are the three issues for the Hibiscus Coast you wish to prioritise if elected?
Completing and future-proofing transport improvements in the area. Making sure that funded and planned projects are locked in and started – like Penlink, important local links like the East Coast Road across to Silverdale North, improved local feeder bus routes and frequency, Northern Motorway improvements that extend the busway and link the Coast to the West and the South.
Far more effective Council control and oversight over all the Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs) that impact on the Hibiscus Coast, with clear directives that strategic assets like Council owned marinas at Gulf Harbour and Westpark are not to be sold, securing the Hammerhead at Gulf Harbour. This will secure local park land that could otherwise be sold.
Making environmental and community improvements actually happen – like sediment control that works on developments, effective erosion control at our beaches, sustainable funding for the HBC Youth Centre, fair funding and support for Hibiscus Coast sporting and recreational clubs and organisations in-line with elsewhere in Auckland.
How would you address those issues?
The business case for Penlink should be revisited to bring Penlink forward given the rapid development of Millwater and now Milldale under construction, and the construction capacity that will be available as the Northern Motorway improvements are completed. Penlink is a logical extension.
Additional Park and Ride locations should be identified and secured now through developer funding at Milldale and the Penlink/Dairy Flat exit. The funding of the Northern Busway from Albany to Silverdale should be brought forward to allow at least a shoulder facility. Business cases are required urgently for parking buildings at the Park and Rides including Silverdale, shared car incentives and improvements to the Whangaparāoa/Hibiscus Highway intersection to cater for the southbound am flow from Whangaparāoa.
The Gulf Harbour Ferry service should have a weekend service, with a trial as soon as possible to test patronage and viability.
A Marina Strategy for Gulf Harbour should be completed urgently with stakeholder participation from berth holders, boating clubs, ferry users and residents. No marina land should be sold at Gulf Harbour so as to protect an asset that generates an excellent return that offsets rates and recognizing the strategic nature of the asset alongside council’s other marina assets. The marina strategy should also address the recreational potential of the marina area and the positive impact of additional ferry services.
Environmental and facility improvements require changes to regional funding to give effect to our local requirements – which are urgent.
How can Council improve its performance?
The CCOs require reform. Auckland Transport should once again have two Auckland Councillors on the board. Where possible, assets that can be more efficiently and economically managed under direct council control, for example stadiums, should be integrated and run once again by Council, removing layers of bureaucracy and cost. Business cases with options should be in place before asset sales are made, for example the recent fire sale of the Civic Administration Building for $3m.
The extension of successful projects already underway or complete that are working and delivering results should be extended and supported. The dynamic lane project can be extended. The Northern Motorway improvements will bring about significant time savings going south that can and should be extended north.
What do you hope to deliver for ratepayers over the next three years?
Completing the transport projects like Penlink that are well advanced. A Council that performs better than present with an increase in public trust and civic pride. More genuine Council engagement with communities, with less secrecy and more openness and transparency. Rates and debt that are affordable with an increase in the contribution of central government to reflect the increasing role of Auckland Council.
Julia Parfitt
Auckland Council, Albany Ward
Lifelong Albany Ward resident married with two sons, Justice of the Peace. Former teacher and Board of Trustees member at Northcross Intermediate. Community focussed. Former North Shore City Councillor representing the Albany ward. Current Chairperson of the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board. Hard working, approachable and successful at delivering results. I will work collaboratively around the Council table to ensure our area’s needs are highlighted and actioned.
What are three key issues for the Hibiscus Coast that you wish to prioritise if elected?
Bringing forward the commencement of a four-lane future proofed Penlink. Ensuring Council treats all facilities across the region in a fair and equitable way that would provide the certainty of funding for Estuary Arts Centre, Centrestage Theatre and the HBC Youth Centre and at the same level of funding that similar sized centres currently receive from Council.
Preventing the environmental damage from sedimentation of our waterways like the Nukumea stream and the Weiti River.
How would you address those issues?
To bring forward Penlink we need to continue the work we have already started talking to potential delivery partners. We have identified two parties to date who are prepared to deliver the project. Both have been in contact with NZTA and Auckland Transport to express their interest. NZTA have asked for a competitive tendering process place and the next step is the calling for expressions.
As a local board we have ensured that a review of the way Council funds facilities is now underway. If elected I would work collaboratively and constructively within council to promote a more equitable allocation of facilities funding, one that recognises and addresses the needs of our local Hibiscus facilities.
Again, we have already started the process of improving the sedimentation standards. Last December we partnered with the Long Bay Great Park Society and went to the Environment Committee and asked them to look at introducing better standards when consenting new subdivisions, which they agreed to do. When we went back to the committee two months ago, they had come some way towards developing these new guidelines, that were more site specific and we gave them a couple of alternate ways that we believe will be more effective in addressing the problem. I want to be around the council table when those better sedimentation standards are approved.
How can Council improve its performance?
Council must improve its performance if it is to gain the full confidence of our residents. To do this we must review the way we deliver council services. Far better governance is required by Council. The governing body needs to adopt a true regional focus and more effectively manage their CCOs by setting them more specific and measurable targets to deliver. In turn, CCOs like Auckland Transport and Panuku must be held more publicly accountable for their actions and spending. More decisions must be made locally with increased delegations and funding to local boards. The emphasis should be on spending money wisely and reducing debt, not on continual asset sales
What do you hope to deliver for ratepayers in the next three years?
I believe I offer a different approach. Over the last nine years as your local board chairperson, I have shown that I can work collaboratively and constructively across council and our wider community to deliver the best outcomes for our area. As your councillor, I will continue to work hard to highlight and effectively resolve the issues that concern you.
Julia Parfitt is also standing for the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board (Bays subdivision)
John Watson
Auckland Council, Albany Ward
I’m a long time Hibiscus Coast resident who has raised family on the Coast. Attended Auckland University, former Head Boy of Westlake. Taught at a number of secondary schools, coach of youth teams in rugby, cricket, league and basketball. Captained Northcote Tigers and Hibiscus Coast Cricket Club. Awarded two Royal Society of NZ Teachers Fellowships, one producing a written and oral history of Whangaparāoa. Trustee of Whangaparāoa Community Trust, Rodney District councillor, current Auckland councillor.
What are three key issues for the Hibiscus Coast that you wish to prioritise if elected?
The overall transport network is a key issue. We must maintain the momentum of recent successes such as Penlink funding approval, Whangaparāoa dynamic lanes, new Silverdale Park ‘n Ride, increases in the Gulf Harbour ferry service and the $700million Northern Motorway improvements. The protection of valuable publicly owned assets like the Gulf Harbour Marina and our natural environment.
Continuing to deliver important community facilities in a timely manner through careful management of the council budget, low rates increases and the elimination of wasteful spending.
How would you address those issues?
Penlink is now actually funded for the first time. The start date is 2024 – this needs to be brought forward and can happen given that consents are in place and the project is ready to go. The new Hibiscus Coast Bus Terminal starting construction later this month (providing additional Park ‘n Ride spaces as well) will soon require a car park building that keeps pace with commuter demand. The Gulf Harbour ferry service increased from 12 to 20 sailings over the last three years (including a late-night sailing). The number of sailings needs to continue to increase, along with a weekend service and the trialing of a ferry that can do the trip in 30 minutes. Finally, the $700m Northern Motorway improvements currently under construction will create more motorway lanes and extend the busway – first to Albany, then to Ōrewa. The Skybus service direct to the airport can come to Silverdale next year when the new modern terminal is completed.
At Gulf Harbour we will not sell the Marina (nor any other publicly owned assets on the Coast built up through decades of local ratepayer investment). Control of the Council owned Hammerhead can occur simply through use of the Public Works Act ensuring continued public recreation, boating and enhanced ferry services and facilities. Higher standards of environmental protection can occur through timely changes to the regulatory and compliance regimes in council.
How can Council improve its performance?
While our area has benefited from a number of significant projects in transport, recreation and community facilities, there remains a strong public distrust of the Council and its leadership. Unfortunately, this is entirely justified in a number of instances. Some Council corporates are out of control, and this has got worse over the last three years. This performance will only improve when 12 councilors from across the region gain a majority, work together and exert control over the organisation on behalf of the public. Fortunately for the first time this is a distinct possibility in this election, irrespective of who is Mayor.
What do you hope to deliver for ratepayers in the next three years?
A more open Council that is far more accountable to the public it serves. A transport network that makes a real difference to travel times and convenience – by car, bus and ferry. The restoration of public trust and confidence through meaningful change in behaviour and performance.
Alezix Heneti
Auckland Council, Albany Ward
Studied democracy at Waikato University, owned recycled boutiques and several other businesses in two countries, and have completed 38 years in many successful volunteer positions. Mother of five adult children, 13 grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.
Lived on North Shore over 20 years: 15 in Takapuna, five in Ōrewa. Current JT Foxx client. Landmark graduate and advanced 2000-2019, and a John Kehoe Mind Powers Quantum Leap Graduate 2019.
What are three key issues for the Hibiscus Coast that you wish to prioritise if elected?
Strategic, diplomatic, decisive representation for the public to the Council. Stepping up to take more responsibility in the governing of Auckland, for you. Making a difference
in Council for your betterment, advantage and prosperity. This includes bringing Penlink to fruition now, sooner rather than later and rapidly. This also includes the Marina strategy, Gulf Harbour Ferry, Hibiscus bus station developments, safety improvements, road connections, Silverdale connections, controlling costs, actioning climate controls in community and recycling implementations.
You first, your concerns first, your choices listened to, adhered to and actioned. Locals first, council aiding, favouring and substantiating what you want. This includes acquiring significant advantages, strategies and financial benefits for all business in our area to make you money.
Secondly, ordinary ratepayers being acknowledged, recognised and given everything you ask for in prompt, early acceptable manner.
Thirdly, our youth getting all they need. Funding, guidance, support, listened to substantially and more.
How would you address those issues?
I would spend more time together with you, listening, understanding, followed by actually actioning what you really want. Get you what you want, when you want it, how you want it, because you genuinely deserve it. Together we do this – in lots of little powerful consistent strategies, policies and implementations. Little things are big things when done together every single day in decisive, disciplined responsible leadership moves.
How can Council improve its performance?
By you and me, together holding it to accountability, responsibility and accessibility. The key is consistency, decisiveness and leadership responsibility every single day, until I get for you what you want. Anything you want I can get it for you with consistency, decisiveness and powerful, unstoppable, relentless leadership.
What do you hope to deliver for ratepayers in the next three years?
I will deliver extricate, transfer funding to every local and Ward requirement humanly possible in the next three years, including all the above and many of the hidden, unknown undercurrents that are often left unsaid, but that are duly needed, required and wished for. I will make the difference you require, now.
Alezix is also standing for the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board and Auckland Mayor.
Stephen Lyttelton
Hibiscus and Bays Local Board
I’m a committed Coastie, active in the local community. I’m involved in and Chair the Penlink Now Team. I’m a committee member of SOSSI, caring for local environment. I’m Chair of the Estuary Arts Centre and sing with the Hibiscus Coast Singers. I’m married with three adult children. Qualified in law and accountancy, with a successful business career, I can effectively oversee the local board’s finances.
What are three key issues that you wish to prioritise if elected?
My three key issues are the earlier delivery of a four lane Penlink, the achievement of pest-free status for the Coast and equitable funding from Council.
How would you address those issues?
I would strongly advocate for the earlier delivery of a four lane Penlink. I would encourage parties to submit bids for financing the development of Penlink.
Within prudent financial parameters, I would advocate for the provision of increased targeted funding to achieve the Coast’s pest-free status.
The Coast has not received its fair share of Council’s budget since the Super City was established in 2010. This is despite us being one of the fastest growing regions of Auckland. An example of this is the fact that the local board has to fund Estuary Arts Centre out of its budget, with no long-term funding direct from Council. There are other community art centres around Auckland that receive funding direct from Council. This gives their local boards greater budgetary flexibility than ours.
How can Council improve its performance?
Council needs to listen more carefully to its local communities. It must take heed of those communities’ aspirations and concerns.
I am totally supportive of open and transparent governance. I am part of the Positively Penlink team and we are unanimously in favour of open business meetings, in place of workshops. This will allow for the transparent conduct of decision-making processes and decision-making.
What do you hope to deliver for ratepayers in the next three years?
I hope to deliver on an earlier four lane Penlink, substantial improvements in transport and recreational infrastructure, significant progress on pest-free status for the Coast and equitable funding by Council of the Coast’s financial needs and wants.
Samuel Mills
Hibiscus and Bays Local Board
I was born in Auckland and under my parents’ guidance went on to graduate with a law degree. I am currently a practicing lawyer and have my own business which has offices in NZ and China. I speak English and Mandarin Chinese. I have been fortunate enough to marry a beautiful woman, who is a primary school teacher.
What are three key issues that you wish to prioritise if elected?
I want to encourage more youth engagement with the local board and our community in general. The youth suicide statistics in New Zealand are absolutely shocking and I believe that this is because the youth are becoming increasingly isolated from the community at large.
Secondly, I want to promote open government by making the business of the local board open to all members of our community to encourage engagement.
Thirdly, I love our beaches and local reserves and wish to see that they are maintained.
How would you address those issues?
I want to organise young people to take action for things that they value. A practical example of this is that I recently organised the youth at the Ōrewa beach basketball court into an advocacy group. These local community assets are integral to ensuring that the youth step away from their computers and gaming devices to interact with people from all segments of our community.
I will take every effort to ensure that local board workshops are open to the community.
I am a very big advocate of high value tourism. To this end I want to see a ban on freedom camping in our beaches and reserves and ensure that enforcement efforts are well funded.
How can Council improve its performance?
One word, transparency. From talking to members of our community there is an apathy amongst voters, and the general opinion is that whoever we vote for our voice is not going to be heard. I intend to change that and will be incredibly vocal on behalf of Coasties to ensure that we get our fair share.
What do you hope to deliver for ratepayers in the next three years?
An open and transparent local government that listens to the people and acts upon their wishes and increased engagement amongst our youth in local body politics. The youth may not yet be ratepayers yet, but their voice is equally important.
Claire Teirney
Hibiscus and Bays Local Board
I’ve lived on the Coast most of my life. My career has been in marketing for over 25 years – mainly with multinationals. I’m used to thinking strategically while also being able to get stuck in and get things done. I am a volunteer instructor with our local dog club and have gained knowledge of how council works during the recent Dog Bylaw review.
What are three key issues that you wish to prioritise if elected?
Getting the Coast moving with both public transport and roads is my first priority as it affects everyone, every day. More park and rides are needed now and Penlink needs an actual start date.
We also need clean beaches. Sediment run off from developments has impacted our streams, bays and estuaries. I believe Council needs to do more around sediment monitoring and prevention. I have already reached out to the Council Sea Change group and will work to get improvements. I will lobby for the Coast to be one of the areas to get Council’s planned rubbish prevention measures – stormwater drains with outlets on our beaches to stop plastic and rubbish polluting them.
How would you address those issues?
We need AT and the governing body to take on these projects with urgency. We need to get Coast voices heard. I will mobilise as many people as I can to do this – we need a show of force and large numbers. We got 2000 submissions from the Hibiscus & Bays area on the Dog Bylaw, yet only 42 people across Auckland submitted to AT for more park and rides.
Council needs a sea level rise plan. Recently released data may have implications for homeowners regarding areas identified as at risk of exposure to coastal inundation and sea level rise. We need to tackle this as a combined group (councillors and local board members), so that there is a clear strategy and ratepayers have input.
How can Council improve its performance?
The local board can open its workshops to the public. I plan to hold drop-in sessions outside work hours, hopefully with other board members. Council as a whole needs to make it easier for the public to submit their views.
What do you hope to deliver for ratepayers in the next three years?
Of the 21 local boards in Auckland, Hibiscus & Bays has the fifth largest population. Of the 13 Wards, the Albany Ward has the third largest population and also the highest number of new residential building consents, over the last year accounting for 16 percent of consents in Auckland. I want to be part of a team who deliver the investment, planning and infrastructure that we deserve as one of the biggest, and fastest growing, areas of Auckland.
John Davies
Hibiscus and Bays Local Board
I have run a multi-national family business, then became and remain active in the film industry. I am a Community Trust manager and have chaired three local trusts in recent times. Being one of the team of five who raise $120,000 a year every year to deliver Harold’s Life Education programme Rodney wide has been a huge achievement.
What are three key issues that you wish to prioritise if elected?
For me, I am united with my Positively Penlink colleagues on an early start to building a fully public and private transport ready Penlink. We are all committed to genuine care for the environment, and for me, addressing Council’s Climate Emergency declaration genuinely is a key priority. The team are keen to see us working for a significant improvement in local infrastructure and behind the scenes I have already been working towards a multi-purpose venue/hub for Whangaparāoa. I am absolutely committed to use my election to work openly within the Council to deliver this critical asset.
How would you address those issues?
Local Boards can generally only advocate. In all three cases I would work with the other members elected to find our common ground and with consensus drive forward on all three issues.
How can Council improve its performance?
Speed – it moves too slowly. I personally believe the centralised structure does not work. The local board needs to show it has the capacity to take more responsibility. It must encourage the Mayor and Council to devolve work away from the centre and in to the local boards for action.
What do you hope to deliver for ratepayers in the next three years?
Progress on my three key issues and more engagement with the community. I will run two access meetings in cafes across the Coast monthly when the board is in session. I want you to know you’ll have me behind you in getting things done. This approach dovetails with the Positively Penlink commitment to advocate for a new meeting structure reducing closed workshops and seeking two open business meetings each month. I’ll deliver strong advocacy for ratepayer needs with Council or any of the Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs). I’m there for you if I am elected. Being your local board member will be my prime job if you elect me, one I know I will relish.
Andy Dunn
Hibiscus and Bays Local Board
For the 15 years that I’ve lived on the Coast with wife Paula, I have used my professional skills in business, creative design and problem solving to organise, fundraise and support many Coast organisations. These organisations include Hospice, Centrestage Theatre, Estuary Arts, Youth in Transition and Rotary, which I have been associated with for 25 years. I am also on the Destination Ōrewa board. I am a team player who gets things done.
What are three key issues that you wish to prioritise if elected?
Bringing the construction date of Penlink forward and making the most of the benefits like quicker bus trips, a park and ride and joined up walking and cycleways. We need to improve the ferry and bus services to reduce congestion. Ōrewa Beach erosion and seawall issues need an end to expensive delays, with whole of beach solutions. Other Coast beaches like Red Beach, Stanmore Bay and Manly are also a priority. Coping with population growth is essential. Local schools are under pressure, sports clubs are running out of space, and newer areas, like Gulf Harbour and Millwater, lack community facilities.
How would you address those issues?
Ensure that the business case for Penlink is as up to date as possible to take into account rapid growth. Improve awareness of the business cases and benefits of more ferry services to Gulf Harbour, more park and rides, the possibility of parking buildings and higher frequency bus services that link to the ferry.
A comprehensive approach is needed to address Ōrewa Beach erosion that is much more collaborative and avoids expensive legal bills. The different parts of Council need to work together. The huge amount of sand lost up the estuary is needed to replenish the beach. We want beaches that are safe and easy to walk along.
Schools, sports clubs and recreation groups should all be closely involved in leading the planning and improvement of our parks and reserves. We need to make sure the government is making the provision for new schools in the right places.
How can Council improve its performance?
Simple: start listening to the rate-paying people. For far too long the ratepayers of this area have felt that they aren’t being heard by the hierarchy in the city. The CCOs like Panuku, that proposed selling most of the Gulf Harbour Marina council owned land, must be made more accountable to Council, local boards and affected communities.
What do you hope to deliver for ratepayers in the next three years?
I will be a voice for our Coast People that cannot be ignored. I will fight to achieve all the issues previously discussed and stay very much in touch with my community, so that we can work as a team to make our community strong and healthy with excellent opportunity for discussion and resolution. In summary, I intend to listen and to achieve. Simply attending meetings is not enough.
Gary Brown
Hibiscus and Bays Local Board
I grew up on the Coast attending local schools and enjoying the Coast lifestyle of beaches and local clubs playing rugby at Silverdale, gymnastics, theatre, Ōrewa surf lifesaving, then rugby refereeing. With wife Tracey, our children are at local schools. As a successful entertainer and fundraiser for groups like the Youth Centre, I’ve contributed to the community, initiating the Ōrewa Boulevard Walk of Fame.
What are three key issues that you wish to prioritise if elected?
My priority will be to eliminate unnecessary traffic congestion by ensuring that Penlink is on the top of the list.
Ensuring sustainable funding for clubs such as surf lifesaving, the Youth Centre, Air Training Corp and others that provide for youth.
Look after the environment. This includes having full Council ownership and control of the Hammerhead for the ferry service, boat launching and recreation.
How would you address those issues?
Be a strong voice on the local board so that Council, Auckland Transport and Government understand the importance of Penlink for the growth of the wider area. I would keep the pressure on for other local transport projects that make a difference especially the Gulf Harbour Ferry. We need a strong business case to get weekend services that will help grow local businesses like golf clubs.
Find out and ask what the people and organisatins of the Hibiscus Coast want from the local board so that the parts of council we interact with, like the Parks Department, understand our local requirements. Work closely with clubs to resolve issues such as a lack of facilities – especially in new growth areas.
I would schedule regular reporting to the local board on the state of our beaches, streams, parks and reserves with an emphasis on how we can improve our performance. I favour use of the Public Works Act if necessary to gain public control of the Hammerhead.
How can Council improve its performance?
The local board needs to be more transparent and open workshops to the public and the press. This is essential so that residents and ratepayers know what is going on and are better able to engage.
I support better communication to the public by supplying updates in the local papers and social media.
What do you hope to deliver for ratepayers in the next three years?
I bring enthusiasm, great decision making and enhance the community spirit. I’m approachable, listen well and will represent all age groups. I’ll aim for an early start of Penlink’s construction, a sustainable Youth Centre and a Coast that’s
