The last six months have been extraordinary. As a newcomer to politics, I’ve learnt many things but the standout has been the connections built with our community.
From the serene streets of Ponsonby to the energetic corners of our city, so many of you opened your hearts and homes and invited me to be part of your lives.
Thank you for every door opened, every story shared and every moment spent discussing our vision for the Auckland Central community. You kept me going and reminded me of why I do this – to make this an even happier place for us and future generations.
During the whirlwind of door knocking, community meetings and conversations with over 11,000 locals, it became clear that our residents and business owners want a safer and more hopeful future.
The challenges we face are real – crime, public infrastructure and the cost of living crisis – but so are the hope and passion that so many of us share for making this one of the best places to live, study and work.
I’m excited about the changes that a National Government will deliver. Changes that will help grow our economy, prioritise public safety and drive tangible improvements to our health and education sectors. It’s been a thrill to see New Zealand go blue, and while we came close in Auckland Central, we didn’t quite get there.
I’d like to congratulate Chlöe Swarbrick on retaining her seat, and acknowledge the other candidates, including for the robust discussions during our many debates!
I can’t say enough about the amazing team of volunteers who stepped up and gave so much of their time to make phone calls, deliver flyers, organise public events and turn themselves into human billboards every weekend.
From high school students volunteering in their first election campaign through to 80-something veterans, their energy and unwavering belief in our mission was inspiring. They were the heart and soul of our grassroots campaign, and I’m forever thankful to our ‘blue army’ for their incredible efforts.
The most common question I’ve been asked over the past week is “what next”? The short answer is that I’m not going anywhere. To paraphrase a saying from my previous career in innovation and startups: setbacks are not the end, they’re simply a new beginning.
I’m looking forward to working with our community over the next three years to address some of our core challenges and to help create that brighter, more hopeful and inclusive future for all of Auckland Central.
When you see me around, please don’t hesitate to say hi, share your thoughts or voice your concerns. I may not be wearing the usual bright blue jacket, but I’ll always be here to listen and to advocate for our community.
With deep gratitude and a promise to see you soon.
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Published: November 2023