Hi I’m Andrew King

I am standing as an Independent Candidate for Hamilton’s West Ward because I want to bring a balance to the next Council.

I attended Hamilton Boys High School.  I went on to complete an apprenticeship as an Automotive Engine Reconditioner, then did a second trade as an Electrician.

After getting married we moved to London for three years working and travelling.  On our return we built up a business as an Electrical Contractor.  Then as equity allowed we invested in property, vehicle sales and now finance.

The Council has to take rates but must spend them wisely to keep our prosperous city functioning.  Spending to expand our boundaries to increase rates income, makes good economic sense.  This needs to be balanced with spending to ensure our city remains a pleasant place to live and to attract events, visitors and new residents.

I haven’t got all the answers but what I do have to offer are the skills and experience I have built up over the years of running successful businesses with a reputation of being fair and honest.  These are all qualities which will give a boost to the city which I have grown up in and love.

andrewking06@gmail.com

Top 5 Issues

1. CITY DEBT & RATES
   
   We live in one of the richest economic areas in NZ and one of our fastest growing cities.
   This rapid expansion uses large amounts of capital but also increases the rates base bringing in more income. I think of governing our City similar to running a business or a household. There are times when you have a growing family when you spend money over and above rent, clothes and food. You borrow money to buy appliances, entertainment (TVs & computers), vehicles and spread the repayments over the following years. You might even take a mortgage to buy a house instead of paying rent for your long term benefit. This is an investment which gets paid off over many years to give you a better standard of living throughout the process. Running Hamilton City is similar. We borrow to build facilities, Event centres and Infrastructure to allow Hamilton to expand by creating more rateable land while also ensuring Hamilton remains a pleasurable place to live.
   
2. Social Values
   
   Councils are being given more and more responsibility and powers by Central Government to guide our cities on social issues like gambling, brothels, public adult parades and more recently changes to the alcohol laws. Discretion can be used by the different cities to take a libel or conservative approach. I intend to take a conservative approach on these issues.
   
   I will vote against ‘Boobs on Bikes’ in Hamilton or any other adult show in public. I don’t believe Councillors should be allowing adult shows in public in what should be a family friendly city.
   
   
3. City Centre
   
   I believe it’s a matter of economics that will see things in the city turn around. When capital values get to a point that it’s attractive to redevelop then development and revitalisation will go hand in hand.
   
   City Parking
   
   I think Hamilton City Councils recent decision to allow vehicles the first 4 hours in their car parks for $1 an hour is a brilliant move. I would like to see the Council go further and make this free if you produce a CBD $10 receipt.
   Leave parking meters as they are. People will get to know that the car park buildings are free and will utilise them more especially if money conscious. This will free up the parking meters for people who have a professional meeting or want to pop into the bank and are prepared to feed the parking meter for the convenience of a park close by.
   
   While some might criticise my proposal as anti competitive with the private carpark operators, I would point out that most private car parks already run the “free to park if you produce a receipt” policy.
   
   The new angle parking on Seddon Road outside Seddon Park is a great use of the street with very little money spent; allowing central city workers more free parking. I would like to see us look for more opportunities to do this in other fringe CBD areas.
   
4. The V8's, Claudelands Stadium and Garden Place redevelopment, the money has been spent or set aside. Whether you are for or against, these projects are underway and we should nox maximise their use, enjoy Hamilton and use our positive energies where we can make a difference.
5. Transport
   
   While the idea of a train service sounds great in theory, the proposal is laden with serious practical difficulties which would cost a fortune to overcome, and would never be recovered. In short, the service would not be sustainable, and therefore not a wise use of ratepayers money. Public transport needs to be affordable to be sustainable.
   
   Airport
   I propose a partnership with a large international airline to develop Hamilton airport, to use as their international and domestic hub.. There are approximately 400,000 people in the greater Waikato who would benefit from this. This would bring large amounts of foreigners into our region first when visiting New Zealand. Large hotels, retail and commercial bulk storage facilities would develop around the airport. This will be a major boost to our economy.
   
   Hamilton City Council should retain as many shares as possible in Hamilton Airport. I see this as a profit Centre for the future as the ports are for other Councils around the country.

Personal Profile

I'm not a professional politician or a Political Scientist.  In fact I haven't been to University.

But I have run my own businesses successfully and I do understand economic realities.

I have got the skills to get my head around the issues to help run Hamilton.

I look forward to working constructively with others on Council who have a similar commitment to common sense outcomes for the benefit of our city.