My Account
The mayor, councillors and local board members make decisions that can affect many aspects of daily life from the quality of water emerging from your tap to the play spaces your children enjoy, the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, sporting and cultural opportunities, rubbish collections and what you end up paying for the various services. In October, Rodney residents will get the chance to decide who will represent them. Mahurangi Matters takes a look at what’s involved and who can stand.
Who’s in the running so far?
Rodney Local Board
Colin Smith (Wellsford) Yes
Beth Houlbrooke (Warkworth) Yes
Brent Bailey (Kumeu) Yes
Phelan Pirrie (Kumeu) Yes
Louise Johnston (Dairy Flat) Yes
Cameron Brewer No
Allison Roe No
Tessa Berger No
Brenda Steele did not provide comment before deadline.
Auckland Council
Greg Sayers Yes
Kaipara District Council, Otamatea Ward
Jonathan Larsen Yes
Libby Jones Unsure
Peter Wethey Unsure
Kaipara District Mayor
Dr Jason Smith Yes
What’s involved?
Four Rodney Local Board members – Beth Houlbrooke, Colin Smith, Tessa Berger and Allison Roe – spoke about their experience in the job.
How much time?
The role is expected to take up to 25 hours a week, however the workload can be significantly more, they all said.
“Up to 40 hours a week was my starting point in the first term as an elected member, however in my role as chair it can be up to 70 hours per week,” Beth Houlbrooke says.
Tessa Berger adds that given a lot of that time will be spent outside of normal working hours, it is possible to juggle the position and remain in full-time employment.
Follow the money
All Board members point to the significant responsibilities in managing the finances of various functions of the Board.
“Research and understand the money flows, and ask the hard questions as funding can lack transparency. Sometimes it magically appears or disappears,” Allison Roe says.
Consider what you want to achieve
“Do your research and don’t campaign on a platform that you can’t achieve because it’s outside the role’s scope or unlikely to get support from your fellow members,” Beth says.
“Rodney is a large area with a lot of rural and urban, and it can be difficult to represent rural when their rates are being used in urban contexts. On the urban side of it, it gets into the luxuries like statues or swing bridges, but I see Rodney as a ‘needs first’ district,” Colin Smith says.
You can make a difference
As a first-time member, Tessa says that despite the challenges,there is significant support from local board staff.
“Don’t doubt the difference you could make. If you’re considering standing, take a look at the diversity of the nominees. People shy away because they can’t see themselves being represented, but that is exactly why you should stand,” she says
Pay is nothing to get excited about
The remuneration of the job is generally agreed to not be much of a source of motivation.
“The pay is hardly an attraction, but the satisfaction of breaking through and making headway only makes you want to challenge and achieve more,” Allison says.
One thing they all agree on was that a democracy could only function well if people who care about their community are prepared to stand and represent its interests.
Could you run for office?
Nominations for local government candidates open on July 19. Nominees need only be a NZ citizen and enrolled on the electoral roll. Two people must nominate you on the official form, which must be provided to your council’s electoral officer by noon on August 16. You will also need to pay $200. See localcouncils.govt.nz and lgnz.co.nz.
Roe to stand down after six years
Allison Roe is standing down as a Local Board member at the next election to focus her energy on seeing the trail network from Puhoi to Mangawhai completed.
“This will constitute a world class tracks and trails recreational network that ensures our communities are closely connected with each other, to nature, to the coast and to healthy lifestyles,” she says.
Allison says she is paying the price of a successful athletic career and will likely have surgery this year and will need to focus on her recovery.
“I will miss it, but will give my time to support new board members stepping up.”
