The new term of Auckland Council is well underway with confirmation at the beginning of November of the committee structure and appointments.
I also covered some of my background as is traditional for a maiden speech. Like 39% of Aucklanders, I was born overseas. I was born in London and raised in a post-war, new town called Hemel Hempstead where my politics were shaped from a young age by the threat of nuclear war, the toxicity of apartheid and the rise of Thatcherism. My family immigrated to New Zealand just after I turned 14. Surprisingly for that difficult teenage period, it was a move I embraced. I immediately felt at home living in Ponsonby and attending Auckland Girls’ Grammar School, where my interests in service and activism were encouraged. I was really pleased that Charmaine Pountney, my principal at AGGS, came along to hear my maiden speech.
In 5th form (year 11) I was a founding member of Auckland City Youth Council established under then Mayor, Dame Cath Tizard. Many of the issues we sought to bring a youth voice to, continue to this day but now with increased urgency led by school strike for climate. And, of course, my speech included many acknowledgements and thanks.
In the lead up to Christmas I plan to enjoy ‘Jingle and Mingle’ on Ponsonby Road including market day on 7 December and, of course, the Franklin Road lights. This will be the 27th year residents will deck out their homes in extravagant lighting drawing thousands of visitors. Even better, this year it will be possible to experience the lights on beautifully upgraded footpaths after years of construction.
Best wishes to all Ponsonby News readers for a restful and safe festive season. (PIPPA COOM, COUNCILLOR FOR WAITEMATA & GULF)
Contact Pippa Coom via pippa.coom@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz