My Account
I moved to Warkworth in 1974 and have spent most of the last 42 years living and working in the Rodney area where, as an active sportsperson, I am very engaged in the outdoor environment. I have enjoyed my work as deputy chair of the Rodney Local Board for the last six years and also working as a Mahurangi College Board Trustee for the last nine years. As sales manager at Summerset Retirement Village, I have first-hand experience of the issues affecting the over 65s and, as a father, extensive knowledge of the issues affecting our Rodney youth. Being involved with over 65s, our youth and local body politics has proven to be mostly enjoyable and rewarding.
Why are you standing for election?
I love to be engaged in the wider community, to be able to contribute and debate both sides of a position, to tease out the real issues and identify as many of the potential solutions as possible. The role of your elected members is to then make a decision based on the issues and options presented, and to be able to rationally explain it, so that regardless of whether you agree or disagree with the decision, you can understand how and why the decision was made. I enjoy doing this.
What are the three main issues facing the Rodney ward?
- Traffic – The state of our roads, the complexity of dealing with AT and NZTA, and lack of public transport connections to Auckland City from the north and west.
- Infrastructure – Massive growth in the south and north-east of Rodney requires additional planning and investment.
- Equity – Rodney needs increased investment in our local communities and amenities. Warkworth Library is too small to cope with user demand, the public toilets in Rodney need upgrading and we have little or no public art, cultural or community facilities. Overall, increased investment and spending needs to be made at Local Board level.
What would you hope to achieve over the next three years?
Three more years to continue progressing and completing what the Rodney Local Board has already achieved. Local Boards have influence in relatively small areas and scant spending capacity. Auckland Council should/must increase the responsibility and portfolio of Local Boards and increase their budgets accordingly. And fix the Hill Street intersection once and for all.
How could Council improve its performance?
Achieve better value for money. Council culture needs to change so that those procuring goods or services are proving that the deals they cut are more in line with what a rational, motivated, private individual would put together for themselves. Open the books and be prepared to account for its actions.
What skills can you offer?
I have considerable governance experience and direct connection with the wider community and specifically with over 65s and youth. Therefore I have a unique understanding of the challenges faced by our elderly, our youth and our business community. I have lived, played and brought my children up in the Warkworth area and am totally committed to continuing to live in Rodney because I believe it is one of the best places in the world to be. I am also committed to making sure that it remains one of the best. Rodney is not Auckland, but we are part of Auckland, so we need to have a representative with a strong rational voice who is capable and prepared for robust debate in Rodney’s favour.
Where do you stand on the proposal to split Rodney from Auckland Council?
I support Rodney being part of Auckland Council. There is significant merit in the current Rodney Ward being split into two as the challenges in Kumeu, Huapai and southern Rodney are based around the need to manage and mitigate integration with urban Auckland, while in the north the challenges for Warkworth, Wellsford and Puhoi/Kaukapakapa and north are centred on access, equity and connection to urban ratepayers.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I am particularly dismayed by the commitment of 10-15 per cent of Rodney Local Board funding to the construction of a select few footpaths. My experience in the management of multi-million dollar budgets and the awareness of the impact of mobility and access issues for disabled and aged people will be invaluable to Rodney ratepayers.
