Viewpoint – Call for board candidates

As I will not be standing in the next local elections, I want to take this opportunity to thank our community. It has been a privilege to serve you. But now, more than ever, we need strong voices to step up and represent our area.

As a local board member, I have seen firsthand the importance of strong, dedicated representation in our community. Local representatives serve as the voice of the community, ensuring that concerns and needs are addressed. Without engaged leadership, our community risks losing essential advocacy. Now is the time to act – our future depends on it.

Despite over 75 per cent of feedback opposing the reduction, the Northern Action Group (NAG) has successfully pushed to reduce representation in Mahurangi. We now await the government’s final decision, but it appears we [Warkworth subdivision] will lose one board member. This reduction, influenced by NAG, diminishes our ability to be heard. We cannot afford further losses – we need passionate individuals to step up and ensure our voices are heard.

Local representation is more crucial than ever. From infrastructure improvements to environmental concerns and community development, the board has been at the forefront of advocating for change.

Efforts to improve unsealed roads demonstrate how local advocacy makes a difference. Last year, more roads were sealed in our area than in the entire Auckland region. Without committed representation, these advancements may stall or disappear altogether.

The devastating impact of Cyclone Gabrielle also highlighted the critical need for responsive leadership.

Our community faced damaged infrastructure, downed trees and power outages. Local representatives were instrumental in coordinating recovery efforts, advocating for resources, and ensuring residents’ needs were met. We need people ready to step up and fight for our community when disaster strikes.

One of my proudest achievements this term is how well the board members have worked together. This collaboration was a goal I set out to achieve, and it has been incredibly rewarding to see the positive changes that resulted. But this teamwork must continue. Without new leaders, our progress could be undone.

We urgently need candidates for this year’s election. Our urban areas lack direct representation, as all board members, including myself, live rurally. If you care about where your children and grandchildren grow up, now is the time to act. Those running sports clubs, community events, play centres, and school boards would be ideal candidates. The local board manages a budget of tens of millions of dollars – your leadership can ensure we are well represented and all voices heard. If you want more investment in sports facilities at Warkworth Showgrounds, then you need to be on the board.

The time to step up is now. Our community needs you. I urge people to stay engaged, support their representatives and consider running.