John Elliott: Local election update - latest on the mayoral contest

I did worry when I saw Michelle Boag on the right side of John Tamihere and Matt McCarten on his left side.

Privatisation of water has been a worldwide failure in recent years as I outline in an article elsewhere in this Ponsonby News. Sorry JT, no privatisation for me thank you!

John Banks has announced he is interested in standing for mayor again. Watch this space and see my article elsewhere in this Ponsonby News.

City Vision Candidates for the Waitemata Board
Alexandra Bonham is a Grey Lynn resident with a doctorate on Auckland City. She is a member of Women in Urbanism, and an advocate for a child-friendly sustainable city that fosters human connection, innovation and resilience.

Adriana Christie-Current member of the Waitemata Local Board with responsibility for parks, sports and recreation-lead of the local economic portfolio, a social entrepreneur and former Design Thinking Lecturer at AUT, wants to help make our city work sustainably and inclusively for all Aucklanders.

Glenda Fryer, St Marys Bay resident, former Auckland city councillor and present Deputy Chair of the Albert Eden Local Board, has taken lead on economic development, parks and sports.

Graeme Gunthorp, Freemans Bay resident, Asset Manager overseeing $500 million of shopping centres around New Zealand aims to help build strong communities based around safety for all, inclusive events, celebrating diversity and ensuring great transport options.

Kerrin Leoni (Ngaitakoto, Ngati Kuri, Ngati Paoa) city centre resident and contract manager for Oranga Tamariki. Keen to provide Maori cultural advice and strengthen relationships with Maori in Waitemata, she is passionate about providing family friendly spaces, supporting migrant communities and youth.

Richard Northey is a Freemans Bay resident, current local board member, former councillor and Member of Parliament. He took the lead on the board in establishing the arts partnership with TAPAC and led the charge to stop agrichemical spraying in central parks.

Julie Sandilands is a central city resident and owner of The Dance Domain and Writers Cafe. Julie is passionate about improving the vibrancy and livability of the Waitemata area.

City Vision Candidate for Waitemata Ward Councillor
Pippa Coom, currently chair of the Waitemata Local Board has been selected to stand for the council seat currently held by Mike Lee. See her policy statement elsewhere in this edition of Ponsonby News.

C&R Candidates for Waitemata Local Board
C&R have announced their seven candidates for the Waitemata Local Board. They are:

Sarah Trotman has lived in Waitemata 30 years, respected business and community leader with an ONZM honour-see article elsewhere in this issue.

Greg Moyle lived most of his life in Waitemata, experienced in senior management, governance and local body politics, former city councillor and board member keen to continue his community involvement.

Amy Calway is a local, mother of two children at Ponsonby Primary, she has a passion for thriving communities and knows how to achieve results within budget.

Josh Doubtfire is a fourth generation Waitemata local, a passionate community advocate, wants to improve council’s accountability to its communities.

Dame Denise L’Estrange Corbet is a local, the co-founder of fashion brand World, an ambassador for the IHC awards, the Mental Health foundation and the Diabetes Foundation, will ensure smart spending of ratepayer money.

Genevieve Brown, is a central city resident with extensive business skills, a strong leader who seeks an open and multi-purpose waterfront, clean and safe streets and affordable public transport.

Roger Burton, is a Parnell resident and experienced businessman who brings the right balance of knowledge, skills and experience to add value to the board, to help cut excessive spending, he will work on fixing traffic, sewage and water infrastructure problems.

C&R Council Candidate
Sarah Trotman has been announced as the C&R candidate for the council seat for Waitemata Ward She joins Pippa Coom and Mike Lee as a third alternative for voters. See Sarah Trotman’s biography elsewhere in this issue.

Only two months to go, so get researching candidates and sort out which ones you favour. Above all, please vote. (JOHN ELLIOTT)

www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/elections