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Greg Sayers – Independent
In the past I have owned a successful accounting software development company. After selling, I wanted to give back to my community. My family suggested running in the Council elections because they felt I cared and enjoyed helping people. Prior to that I worked for Pricewaterhouse Coopers, implementing organisational change management into large companies. I have been very vocal about seeing these same type of changes implemented into Auckland Council. I am a partner, stepfather, brother and uncle. I’m kind to animals and have been rescuing injured animals since an early age. I have a passion for protecting Rodney’s two harbours, which stems from my love of the sea, sailing, fishing … I even motor my dinghy to Kawau Island ratepayers meetings.
Are you a member of or affiliated to any political party, organisation or advocacy group? If so, which one(s)?
Auckland Council, and many Local Boards, have become dominated by Labour, Green Party and other “agenda motivated ticket” affiliations. I am not, I am your fully independent candidate working solely in the best interests of Rodney’s ratepayers.
What do you feel is the most important issue facing Rodney at the moment and what will you do about it?
Big changes are needed. Rates, development contributions and fuel taxes collected from Rodney need to be spent back in Rodney and not on Auckland CBD projects, or like my opponents have done – placed more ‘targeted rates’ on Rodney ratepayers to pay for what the rest of Auckland get automatically from their existing rates! People on fixed incomes cannot afford Council’s increases in rates and skyrocketing fees. You want a councillor who fights against this and who votes down these increases.
Rodney is a huge area and mostly rural – how will you ensure its distinct needs will be met by a largely city-centric and suburban Council?
There is too much wasteful, unnecessary spending happening on indulgent CBD projects. This is siphoning money away from Rodney. I have been, and will continue to be, the leading voice championing for Council to get back to core business. Rodney’s basic maintenance is being neglected. It is outrageous that $46 million collected by the Local Board is not being used to fix Rodney’s roads. The money has instead been diverted away from roading and into the revenue-losing bus services. Nothing has improved for Rodney’s roads. Your vote will help me strike the right balance between roading and public transport.
What will you do about Rodney’s rotten roads – especially the extensive unsealed network?
Councillors control the budget given to Auckland Transport, but Auckland Transport alone decides how it can be spent – not the councillors. Auckland Transport’s operational budget was in fact increased by 30% to help them keep up with maintenance. However, Auckland Transport prioritises spending on buses, ferries and cycleways over maintaining the roads. Why? Because 51% of their overall funding is from the Government, which mandates the spending priorities. I have strongly advocated to the Board of Directors for the road maintenance budgets (for sealed and unsealed roads) to be doubled. So the water tables can be correctly maintained, partially started projects completed, the culverts kept clear, roads shaped correctly, potholes fixed properly, and any grading of unsealed roads to occur as promised and on time. Many roads are desperate for sealing. I was successful in quadrupling the road sealing capital budget to $121 million. But this was cut in Phil Goff’s ‘Emergency Budget’ to $40 million.
The Rodney First local board members voted to support his budget. I voted against these cuts. I promise to work hard and will get the $121 million reinstated. I will continue to always use my vote to support Rodney’s ratepayers’ and our community.
What do you believe should be the priories for spending the Climate Change targeted rate, and why?
We need to be the ambulance at the top of the cliff, not at the bottom when it comes to the impact of drier, hotter summers and wetter winters. For Rodney these impacts are already affecting households and farmers reliant on tank water supply, those living in flood-prone areas, riverbank erosion from increasing water levels, and effects on people and the environment along our coastline who risk coastal inundation. Council is doing a lot of great work to reduce greenhouse emissions and I fully support that.
However, prioritisation also needs to be given to protect against the impacts that are in reality happening here and now.
Does the Council have enough influence/governance over its CCOs and what they do?
Many don’t realise, but sitting in between the Councillors and the CCOs is a Board of Directors and then another layer of bureaucracy with a CEO. Elected councillors cannot control the CCOs which in turn means the ratepayers’ voice is distanced from the CCOs. I want to reinstate what Phil Goff removed and put councillors back onto the Board of Directors, giving a voice back to ratepayers – getting greater transparency and accountability.
Is there anything else you feel particularly strongly about and plan to pursue if elected?
I am proud to stand on my voting record – as the councillor who consistently speaks out about the changes Council has to make, especially in these tough economic times. I will continue to hold Council to account to keep them honest. Rodney is the only area in Auckland where ratepayers pay a second local board targeted rate for footpaths and bus services – which all of the rest of Auckland get from their existing rates. Voters have a clear choice. Vote for me, with an open and proven track record of getting Rodney’s rates spent back into Rodney, or vote for a candidate with a proven record of cutting bad deals for Rodney, who supported every rate increase Goff put forward, and has been complicit in enabling Council’s current spending and borrowing trends. Council’s wage bill and external consultants payments are still increasing year-on-year and we need Councillors like myself to rein them in. I will continue to work collaboratively with other councillors, the new mayor and local boards to achieve this. I will build on my momentum, which has included securing $1.3 billion for Rodney moving forward, saving the Warkworth weir and the Baxter Street carpark, getting $193 million to build the new wastewater plant, $63 million for the Matakana Link Road, $16 million for the new wastewater plant, and I am well underway proactively working with strong community groups to get Hill Street finally fixed as well. Say it With Sayers.
Beth Houlbrooke – Rodney First
I am the current deputy chair of Rodney Local Board with nine years’ experience, including one term as chair. I’ve been a resident of the Warkworth area for more than 28 years, and with a family bach on Tawharanui Peninsula my whole life. It’s really important that our local elected representatives are, indeed, local, and have been actively involved in the community outside of politics. Before first elected in 2013, I was an award-winning businesswoman in the transport industry, a farmer and local business owner. My introduction to governance was firstly in playgroup, kindergarten and primary school, where I led committees and boards. I ran and grew a successful local businesswomen’s network for five years, and was on the New Zealand board of an international women’s organisation (with local membership) for six years.
Are you a member of or affiliated to any political party, organisation or advocacy group? If so, which one(s)?
I am running as part of the Rodney First team alongside six local board candidates. As a team we are not aligned with any political party, in fact we are a diverse bunch politically, and apolitically. Unlike some other candidates, we are open and transparent about our individual affiliations. Our team’s connections to local advocacy groups, and our policies, can be read on our website www.rodneyfirst.org.
It is no secret that I have stood for the ACT Party in the last four general elections. But local government isn’t about party politics, it’s about getting results for our community. I will support whoever the mayor elected is, regardless of their political leanings, if that gets action on our many unresolved issues.
What do you feel is the most important issue facing Rodney at the moment and what will you do about it?
For the last six years I have watched the unfolding infrastructure crisis caused by massive residential growth occurring across both urban and rural Rodney. We lack the necessary infrastructure to deal with wastewater, stormwater, environmental effects of development, and increased traffic on both sealed and unsealed roads. Rodney needs the right plans and budgets in place to cope. As councillor, I will be laser-focused on how we get funding to address these issues. That means attending as close to 100% of all meetings, workshops, and budget discussions as possible, as well as joining every committee and political reference group where policies and decisions are made that affect Rodney.
Rodney is a huge area and mostly rural – how will you ensure its distinct needs will be met by a largely city-centric and suburban Council?
The issues facing Rodney around infrastructure affect both rural and urban areas. We need to stop focusing on a perceived ‘rural-urban divide’ and instead stand together. The problem is one of gaining sufficient support for priorities. Rodney has only one councillor out of 20 in Auckland. To make progress, our representative must build positive relationships with a majority of councillors and the mayor, whether they be left, right, or centre, urban or rural. After six years it’s obvious the current tactics haven’t delivered for Rodney. Enough with political point-scoring, ‘fighting’ the mayor and Auckland Council. Shadowboxing is never going to get results for Rodney. If elected I will put party politics aside, collaborate to broker solutions with councillors and the mayor, and use my vote tactically to solve our infrastructure crisis. I have spent the last nine years building positive relationships with most of the current councillors who are likely to be re-elected, so can hit the ground running.
What will you do about Rodney’s rotten roads – especially the extensive unsealed network?
Our roads are falling apart from decades of underinvestment and lack of adequate maintenance budgets being allocated to Auckland Transport by councillors. Our rural roads were never built to deal with the amount and type of traffic travelling them. As farms are broken up into lifestyle blocks and the population increases, so does the number of vehicles travelling them. Land use has become more intensive, requiring more dairy and fuel tankers, stock, logging, quarry and cleanfill trucks, and earthmoving equipment. After six years of static budgets, it is clear our issues haven’t been effectively raised with other councillors and the mayor. My job will be to change this by highlighting the economic, environmental, health and safety impacts of a substandard roading network. I view this as core business of council. A significant increase in funding for repairs and renewals is well overdue.
As councillor I will focus on collaboration rather than confrontation, using my vote to unlock funding for rural roads that is currently sitting in long term budgets, bringing this forward to boost the rate of road sealing.
What do you believe should be the priorities for spending the Climate Change targeted rate (CATR), and why?
There is much we could do to mitigate the effects of climate change, however the application of the CATR is to reduce emissions. Having roads that work where traffic is not idling for hours on end would be a start, but with rapid residential growth we will need an enhanced and more accessible public transport (PT) network. More residents bring more cars; we have to offer reliable and frequent PT choices, with better connections, and convert to an electric bus fleet. We must also ensure our communities are prepared for major weather events, whether drought, flooding or storms. We have seen roads cut off, communities flooded and increased coastal erosion. Attention needs to be focused on helping property owners prepare for a changing climate. Auckland Emergency Management and other council departments need to work closer with communities and I will be asking that this be prioritised.
Does Council have enough influence/governance over its CCOs and what they do?
CCOs operate to agreed Statements of Intent with Auckland Council. The terms of these agreements may need tightening so that they are more accountable. We need to review whether some of the CCO boards should have elected representatives on them. Some CCO functions could be brought back in-house, and others could be dispensed with, such as business and tourism promotion, which can be handled by outside agencies, or where duplicated by government departments. Councillors can exercise much more oversight of CCOs, but haven’t chosen to do this; I think this needs to change.
Is there anything else you feel particularly strongly about and plan to pursue if elected?
Environmental degradation of our harbours and waterways caused by changing land use is heartbreaking. There are millions of tonnes of silt being washed into our beautiful bays and harbours, causing permanent damage to marine ecosystems. To date, we have had no representation on the Hauraki Gulf Forum, which is a massive oversight, given Rodney’s extensive coastal margin. I will be putting my hand up to be appointed to this forum to promote better coastal and marine management so that we can retain that which is a jewel in our crown and why many of us choose to live here – access to and enjoyment of the Hauraki Gulf.
Rob Ryan – Independent
Firstly, I am a family man, I have a great wife, four kids and two grandchildren. My family and I have lived in the Rodney and coast area for 20-plus years. I also own a small trucking company that I have run out of Rodney for the past 12 years. I have lived in Auckland for 50 years and have seen all the changes – as a child I remember driving over the Auckland Harbour bridge and having to pay 20 cents to cross it and there were no concrete barriers to protect you. I enjoy motorcycle riding, fishing and family time.
I have a love for driving big trucks, and I have a wealth of knowledge of the transport and roading industry. Before I owned my own company, I worked for a New Zealand-owned roading contractor for 11 years, after which I left to start my own company.
Are you a member of or affiliated to any political party, organisation or advocacy group? If so, which one(s)?
None.
What do you feel is the most important issue facing Rodney at the moment and what will you do about it?
Roading. I think Rodney roads have been under-invested in for years. I would want to see the contractor held more accountable for the response time and quality of work that they are producing. I would want a small internal road monitoring crew within the Rodney district that is not driven by the road maintenance contractor, but driven with the ratepayer in mind.
Rodney is a huge area and mostly rural – how will you ensure its district needs will be met by a largely city-centric and suburban Council?
I would work with other elected councillors to get the best for Rodney. As the saying goes, you have to work with what you have to get what you want, but still making sure we all get a fair deal for Auckland as a whole. Rodney District would always come first for me, but to get what we need, you have to work with others to get that; compromise is a big thing.
What will you do about Rodney’s rotten roads – especially the extensive unsealed network?
As per Question 1, I don’t believe that all unsealed roads should be sealed, but I do believe that the roading contractors should be held more accountable for what they are not doing. As a ratepayer myself I think we should be getting our money’s worth, with more money invested in the roading corridor. As for water table clearing, culvert cleaning, debris cleared after a storm not left for months on end, if we want this, then we have to work with other councillors in their regions to get what Rodney needs. I also want the money that is collected from the fuel tax put back into roads, and not sidetracked elsewhere.
What do you believe should be the priorities for spending the Climate Change targeted rate, and why?
I think that if we want our region to meet our targets then more investment needs to be spent in the production of hydrogen vehicles. We need a focus group to push this along, as we are the engine room of NZ. We have the most trucks, cars and people – if we work as a team, Auckland would be the leader in the world. As for electric vehicles, we as a council need to provide rural areas with more charging stations to get rural areas on board, ie, whether it be putting charging stations in milk sheds where trucks can charge at pick-up or more charging stations at public bus stations. Also giving students and over 65s free bus fares 24/7, as this would take a lot of cars off the roads each day. Plus working with rural property owners to have incentives to plant more native trees and if they hit a certain target of trees planted, then a rates rebate can be offered. If people have incentives, then people would be on board, with more jobs created at the same time.
Does Council have enough influence/governance over its CCOs and what they do?
No they don’t, I think that the elected councillors should have more input into their regions, being run by a separate board means that the regions don’t get a say in what happens in their communities, the people are the ones that pay for it and I think that the elected councillor should have more say for their voters. After all that councillor was voted in by the people and they deserve to know where their money is being spent.
Is there anything else you feel particularly strongly about and plan to pursue if elected?
I’m against Three Waters. Auckland as a whole has invested extensively in past years in our wastewater and water networks, where other regions around the country have not. I don’t want to see Auckland ratepayers’ money being invested elsewhere around the country. I’m against any extra fuel tax or congestion taxes, we as a council need to provide alternatives for people before we charge any more, as rural communities don’t have what urban areas do. Rodney always, it’s time for change.
Anne Perratt – Independent
I am mum to two achieving young adults. I studied accounting and marketing at New Zealand and Australian universities. Working in a variety of public and private sector organisations and helping develop a family information technology business has given me a thorough understanding of public and private sector work. I am a keen sailor, kayaker, gardener and novice orchardist. I enjoy supporting start-up ventures and entrepreneurs, especially those based on the harvest of the land and sea – our region’s main source of prosperity.
First arriving in Rodney 57 years ago as a young child, I have experienced Rodney’s changing fortune. I have paid rates here since 2011 and been a permanent resident since 2020.
Are you a member of or affiliated to any political party, organisation or advocacy group? If so, which one(s)?
Being unaffiliated and independent qualifies me to act as your Watchdog for Rodney. I receive emails from various lobby groups and central government in order to keep abreast of topical issues, especially those affecting taxpayers, ratepayers, and in regard to business interests, environment issues and youth sport.
What do you feel is the most important issue facing Rodney at the moment and what will you do about it?
I will ask why Rodney is almost invisible in Auckland Council’s 10-year Budget 2021-2031, Long Term Plan, Our Recovery Budget. I will ask why Rodney’s interests have not been forcefully pushed at the council table. I will ask why Council is neglecting our needs and imposing on us a political manifesto written by unelected council staff, rather than a list of ratepayer and resident needs.
Rodney is a huge area and mostly rural – how will you ensure its distinct needs will be met by a largely city-centric and suburban Council?
I will focus on being a watchdog for Rodney, asking the hard questions. As a fresh pair of eyes and ears, I will call for transparency and get answers for you. My wide state school and corporate board experience, and an accounting and marketing background, qualifies me to ask the right questions. And I will expect clear monthly financial reporting to our ward on how our rates are spent, as every corporate governor would expect! I will fight for Rodney to get a proper allocation of funding for a growing community.
What will you do about Rodney’s rotten roads – especially the extensive unsealed network?
Without a safe and healthy roading network how can ratepayers and residents prosper in Rodney? My motivation to seek fairness for Rodney comes from having a profound respect for the efforts of the early families who settled our area, and the new hard-working young families establishing their lives here. Our Rodney identity was founded on an entrepreneurial spirit working the land and sea. Now we have added technology and new industries. I will ask why Council is not committed to ensuring that Rodney can grow the way we want it to grow. On our own property we have used local contractors, not because they are local but because they are the best. I believe in Rodney and will support Rodney contractors to improve and maintain our roading network.
What do you believe should be the priorities for spending the Climate Change targeted rate, and why?
As discussed above, I will ask why Council is neglecting our needs and imposing on us a political manifesto written by unelected council staff, rather than a list of ratepayer and resident needs. We have not given Council a mandate to try to alter the global climate with our rates! Nor deliver undefined equity goals! Nor borrow in a way a responsible Rodney household would never consider doing! A better priority could be leading a discussion aiming for a pollution-free Rodney.
Does Council have enough influence/governance over its CCOs and what they do?
As your Watchdog for Rodney, I will research the governance, influence and role of each CCO, and listen to your concerns about these CCOs. I await your feedback and questions with great interest. Please contact me.
Is there anything else you feel particularly strongly about and plan to pursue if elected?
I will ask when Auckland Council intends returning to its core business. I will ask when unelected management is to be stopped from expanding their influence and power over our lives. I will ask when we should stop paying for what Central Government should be doing.
We need a proper delineation between what is national versus a local need in terms of capital expenditure. I am proud to be able to treat all New Zealanders equally. I believe in one person, one vote, encouraging an understanding that democracy founded on mutual respect builds trust. Our Council assets belong to us. Now it is time to defend them and grow ours.
I am ready and honed for this role. I ask for your support and your vote to become Your Watchdog for Rodney
Hannah North
Kia Ora, I am Hannah North, I have lived in Rodney for nearly my whole life. Currently I work for an organisation called Northern Presbytery as a youth coordinator. I resource, train and advocate for youth workers throughout Auckland and Northland. I am also on the executive committee for the World Communion of Reformed Churches as representative for Australasia. This is an international humanitarian organisation which is in 108 countries with an estimated membership of 80 million people, where I have been involved in creating policy for them and annually attending meetings around the world. I am standing for Council because I am the person who can get what Rodney wants done. I am working for our future and have the interpersonal skill to work with any group and have the experience and enthusiasm to get things sorted.
Are you a member of or affiliated to any political party, organisation or advocacy group? If so, which one(s)?
None.
What do you feel is the most important issue facing Rodney at the moment and what will you do about it?
The most important issue facing Rodney is our unsafe and unsustainable roads. Both our sealed and unsealed roads need major work in order to maintain their safety. I will work collaboratively with council members, Auckland Transport and the local board by using the strategies other councils in New Zealand have found effective in maintaining their road maintenance.
Rodney is a huge area and mostly rural – how will you ensure its distinct needs will be met by a largely city-centric and suburban Council?
Rodney has unique needs as a largely rural area. I will be advocating for these unique needs by working collaboratively around the table. It is important that other members of the council understand that what might work for most areas of Auckland may not be the best way forward in Rodney. I will be advocating for a diversity of solutions rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
What will you do about Rodney’s rotten roads – especially the extensive unsealed network?
We have 700km of unsealed roads and need to try something new rather than continuing to fill the potholes with gravel a few times a year, as this is obviously not working. Taking a leaf out of Kaipara Council, we need to be finding more sustainable and cost effective options that will last.
What do you believe should be the priorities for spending the Climate Change targeted rate, and why?
I believe that green initiatives need to be cost effective and doable. In Rodney we need to resource farmers to make the best choices they can for the future, this includes around our waterways and water runoff. I also think we should put money into public transport where it will be used and effective for locals, such as extending the rail line into Kumeu.
Does Council have enough influence/governance over its CCOs and what they do?
There needs to be more accountability and collaboration with the CCOs and the council. There is no point of the blame being passed from one to the other and therefore no real accountability given to the citizens. It is my opinion that there should be continuous communication and accountability of CCOs to Council.
Is there anything else you feel particularly strongly about and plan to pursue if elected?
We need to better resource our businesses and believe we can do this by creating pathways between school leavers and local businesses. This will be mutually beneficial by allowing our young people to get insight into what their future careers might have to offer, while creating links to interest our young skilled workers and professionals to come back to Rodney and continue to resource our community. The other key thing I will be actively doing is creating spaces for the community to be involved in the decisions made by council. Holding monthly meetings in the different subdivisions and at times that work for the community and for all ages. Entering into the community rather than waiting for the community to come to me as their last resort.
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