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Councillor Sayers: “New Mayor is on right track”
Re-elected Rodney Councillor Greg Sayers is optimistic that newly-elected Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown will support efforts to end Auckland Council’s wasteful and unnecessary spending, streamline processes, cut red tape and get Council back to core business.
Sayers made the comment after meeting Brown during his first week in office.
“Our discussion also included the inferior state of the unsealed and sealed roads within Rodney,” Sayers says. “The Mayor was very keen to see this rectified.
“My overall impression is Brown is going to make a number of disruptive changes to Council for the better. He is keen to see changes made at the Board of Directors level of Council Controlled Organisations, replacing professional directors with qualified roading engineers at Auckland Transport.”
Sayers thanked the voters of Rodney for their continued support and faith in electing him for a third term.
“It’s a privilege to represent Rodney,” he said.
He says he will continue to lobby for a fair and equitable distribution of rates.
“While Warkworth has benefited from Council’s spending on big ticket items like the Matakana link road and the new wastewater treatment plant, rural areas are still not getting their fair share of the rates spend.”
Fixing the Hill Street intersection was discussed during Sayers’ meeting with Brown, and Sayers says the Mayor wants to understand from Auckland Transport how the $18.8 million project gets approved for construction and funding.
He says he is keen to involve the Rodney Local Board and interested community groups in future talks with the Mayor as time progresses.
The Mayor visited the area as a Mayoral candidate at Sayers’ invitation.
“He already has an understanding of the engineering behind the roading network from his years in the Far North. He talked about the different methodology that Far North used and said he would be keen to work with me and the Local Board to see if it could be implemented in Rodney.”
Here’s a look at how Cr Sayers voted on some recent issues
| Annual Budget | Abstained |
| Rates Increase | Against |
| Draft Golf Investment Plan Consultation | Against |
| Water Services Entities Bill submission | Against |
| Motion to save Fortyfoot | For |
| Plan changes under MDRS & NPS-UD | Against |
| Transport emissions reduction pathway | Against |
| Sale of Bloomfield Spa | Against |
| Playstreets initiative | For |
| Freedom Camping Bylaws | Against |
| Rates funded rubbish collection | Against |
| Endorsement of Safer Streets | For |
| Watercare amended constitution | Absent for vote |
| Matakatia set netting ban | Against |
Two new reps in Warkworth and Wellsford subdivisions
Highest polling candidate Tim Holdgate says his priorities over the next term will be to support better collaboration within the new Local Board team and to seek better community outcomes for both urban and rural ratepayers.
“We need to work with Auckland Transport as a Board to address the rapidly deteriorating state of northern Rodney roading, particularly the unsealed portion of the existing network,” he says.
“Funding the Board’s desired capital development over the forthcoming three year term and maintaining the Board’s existing recreational and service facilities from existing or reducing funding levels will be a challenge.”
Holdgate says the main issues raised with him during the campaign were the state of the existing roads; the lack of progress in sealing a greater portion of roads via Council’s unsealed roading programme; and the need for greater transparency with the Board’s decision-making process
He is looking forward to seeing how the improved balance of independents on the Board with Rodney First representatives works for better community outcomes.
Michelle Carmichael says being elected as a Local Board representative is an incredible privilege. Her priority is to rebuild public trust in local government.
“The Board needs to be more open and transparent about its decision-making,” she says. “Genuine community engagement and consultation is also key, so decisions clearly reflect community views.”
Carmichael recognises that money could be tight.
“So, we will need to be creative in working out solutions to the many needs we have. Working with the knowledgeable, skilled and passionate people and groups in our communities will give us the best chance of overcoming any challenges we face.”
She says the three main issues raised with her during the campaign were the state of the roading network and its lack of maintenance; a need for facilities, activities and events for children and teens; and the state of the footpaths.
“Nearly every issue we have is a result of infrastructure that doesn’t keep up with population growth, so future-proofing needs to be the main thing to bear in mind in all decision-making.
“There was also a lot of community concern about the dynamics within the Board last term. In particular, due to the balance of power lying with a ticket. The Board should never be about power plays between members, member groups or the councillor. Good working relationships and collaboration within the Board and with our councillor is key.”
Ivan Wagstaff is also concerned about the roads.
“Together with the support of our Councillor, we need to advocate strongly for improved roads and maintenance standards,” he says.
“We also need to grow our transport options so that people have choices. That means providing more frequent, flexible and reliable public transport, supporting the development of marine transport, parking to access these, and off-road cycling, walking and horse riding networks.”
He says that providing facilities and services to meet the needs of the area’s growing communities should be a Board priority, as well as protecting and improving native bushland and waterways.
“Improving water quality in our harbours and waterways will protect our environment and support our marine and shellfish industries. Businesses need our support. They need public spaces in town centres to be attractive and multi-functional, to have accessible parking, cater to a range of transport options, as well as representation which understands business needs.”
Wagstaff says that an issue raised with him during the campaign was the need to focus on ensuring community facilities are meeting the needs of youth and their mental health.
“The thing I have enjoyed most about this election was meeting so many local people who are passionate about our area and committed to making it an even better place than it already is.”
Colin Smith, the sole Wellsford subdivision representative, says he wants to see the Board finish the six current projects that it has set for Wellsford – Memorial Park (second stage upgrade), Centennial Park renewal, Rodney Street to Centennial Park footpath, School Road footpath, pedestrian crossing (SH1 to new toilets) and the town centre upgrade.
“My main priority is to push forward with the unsealed road improvement programme (URIP) that Auckland Transport has approved,” he says. “I am also pursuing a memorandum of understanding with Healthy Waters over the management of our drainage areas.”
Smith says the biggest challenge for the Board in the next 12 months will be to reconnect with the Governing Body councillor Greg Sayers and collaborate with him to advocate for the area within the Governing Body.
“Previously, lead roles (one person roles) were created within the Local Board to communicate with Council staff and report back to the Board. This was an unsuccessful practice so a big challenge will be moving from this model and reintroducing committees. The benefit of a committee is that more people are involved with different viewpoints and expertise, to achieve better outcomes.”
Smith says his constituents are concerned about roading infrastructure, drainage, rubbish removal, weed eradication, boat ramp improvements and parking issues.
“I am looking forward to representing the Wellsford ward and getting these projects delivered to the community.”
RODNEY FINAL RESULTS
Voter turnout in Warkworth in the recent local government election was the highest in Auckland. Of the 16,872 eligible voters in the Warkworth subdivision, 8874 people voted (52.6%). In Wellsford, voter turnout was 47% (1996 people of the 4245 eligible voters). This compares to the Auckland average of just 35.5 per cent.
Rodney Ward
Greg Sayers 13,539, elected
Beth Houlbrooke 5850
Rob Ryan 1447
Anne Perratt 1109
Hannah North 1048
Rodney Local Board, Warkworth Subdivision (three seats)
Tim Holdgate 4696, elected
Ivan Wagstaff 3346, elected
Michelle Carmichael 3143, elected
Steven Garner 2796
Malcolm Black 2774
Anne Perratt 2000
Kathie Hills 1374
Greg Wyatt 808
Wellsford subdivision (one seat)
Colin Smith 1303, elected
Libby Clews 640
Bye bye, Beth
After nine years on the Rodney Local Board, including a term as chair, Beth Houlbrooke says she is excited about the new opportunities that lie ahead.
Houlbrooke was unsuccessful in her bid to unseat Rodney Ward Councillor Greg Sayers in this month’s local government election and did not nominate for a Local Board position.
“I loved my job on the Local Board, but always said three terms were going to be it,” she says. “It was also impossible for me to continue even if I’d wanted to. I have been unable to earn a full-time wage for nine years and the cost of four campaigns has drained my savings. I need to knuckle down to earn a decent wage, pay off my mortgage and save for my retirement.
Houlbrooke says the two Board initiatives she is most proud of are the Transport Targeted Rate and Restore Rodney East project.
“The targeted rate has allowed us to catch up on a long list of overdue pedestrian safety projects such as footpaths and crossings, many of which will be constructed this summer, and to put in much needed transport infrastructure to cope with the area’s growth.
“So often we hear the cry ‘infrastructure before development’. In the transport hub that’s exactly what we have delivered. Before long, people will go from complaining that it’s empty to complaining that it’s not big enough! None of these would have been funded this decade without the rate.
“Restore Rodney East has helped coordinate and network dozens of volunteer pest free groups, helping them to get better resourced, educated and equipped to expand so that we can build a contiguous wall of defence from predators, from Pakiri to Wenderholm. It will help make Pest Free 2050 a reality.”
Houlbrooke says her only regret was trying to engage or reason with trolls on social media.
“It’s a waste of time. I should have blocked them way earlier!”
Asked if she had any advice for new Board members, she says they should read their agendas thoroughly, make notes, prepare questions, attend all meetings, make constructive contributions, listen to the advice and be respectful of Council staff, build trust and confidence in their colleagues, be responsive to constituent needs, and always do what they say they are going to do.
In a parting shot at the media, Houlbrooke says she thinks they treated her team (Rodney First) unfairly, instead of looking at what they had actually achieved, which has “always been everything we have said we would do”.
“I guess putting our noses to the grindstone and working hard on delivering what we stood for, and the Local Board plan, doesn’t make headlines. Working diligently behind the scenes to get results for Rodney is not as newsworthy as grandstanding, looking for photo ops and attacking the organisation. People who do that bring nothing positive to the table, do nothing constructive, achieve nothing, and yet they get a following for being grumpy and negative. I guess I’m not cut out for it.”
KAIPARA FINAL RESULTS
A swearing-in ceremony for Kaipara Council will be held on Wednesday, October 26 at the Lighthouse Function Centre, Pou Tu o Te Rangi Harding Park.
Mayor – Craig Jepson
Kaiwaka-Mangawhai Ward – Jonathan Larsen, Rachael Williams, Mike Howard
Otamatea – Mark Vincent, Ron Manderson
Te Moananui o Kaipara Māori Ward seat – Pera Paniora
