The South Waikato is a great place to live. Julie and I could not find a better place to raise our children. It is a friendly, multicultural community with excellent sporting facilities, plenty of scope for housing and is close to other main centres. During the 47 years we have lived here, we have actively supported our schools, sports clubs and served on numerous committees. Retiring after 22years of work at the SWDC, I would now like to commit my time and local knowledge to growing our region so it stays a great place for my grandchildren to raise their children in. My vision is to grow the South Waikato. I am committed to attracting new people to live, work and invest in our community and would like to work with like-minded groups to make this happen. I look forward to serving our community with collaboration, honesty and integrity.

Top 5 Issues

1. COMMUNITIES AS ONE. I will lobby for the creation of an enabling environment with appropriate policy and legal frameworks; integration and inclusion of the diverse communities in our district to incorporate into a prevailing group so that every member can feel empowered to actively contribute, volunteer and participate in the civic life of our multicultural district where no one is living in isolation or a mental or emotional condition.
2. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. Provide development of a culture or improvement of the mind by education or training. Human resource development and strengthening of managerial systems. Supporting access to quality Secondary education. Funding for Youth education is a priority. The process of equipping individuals with the understanding, skills and access to information, knowledge and training that enables them to perform effectively. Which encourages opportunities for job growth and progress. Create an environment which helps people get things done.
3. SUCCESSFULLY FIGHTING CRIME. I will fully support the NZ Police to reduce crime in the South Waikato District. As a Councillor I must apply pressure on Council to bring about the prevention of all Gang affiliated paraphernalia (gear) being worn in our CBD Areas. If this requires a bylaw to bring this about then a bylaw will be introduced. Alcohol outlets must be decreased, gambling provisions must be reduced and then domestic violence in the district will decrease. Full support must be given to the South Waikato Safer Community Council and the South Waikato Emergency Services.
   
4. FAIR RATES FOR FAIR SERVICES. Cost effective solutions, our waste management, accountability from contractors and service providers, value for money from rates, decent infrastructure investment. Rates must be controlled and very careful public consultation is to take place. Fixed income earners must be considered when rate increases are being put in place. The South Waikato District has in place in Tokoroa “Very low cost Access Funding” which means reduced Doctor and Prescription costs.
   
5. COMMUNITY ASSETS. My vision is to work hard to keep our community assets in public hands, especially our precious water infrastructure; for more investment in local roading, for a safer, cleaner environment, protecting our precious farmland, forests, industry and for a strong, vibrant district economy. Provision of free access to the internet must be provided. I will fight to keep our rates and water charges under control. Above all, I will fight to maintain local services and make sure the real power stays in the hands of local people.

Personal Profile

Hi. Thank you for taking an interest in the 2010 local body elections and taking the time to read my profile. Over the last forty five years of my working life (including 8 years as a Taxi Owner Driver in Tokoroa) I have gained considerable skills that enhance my ability to be a community representative and Councillor. I have trained in Critical Incident Stress Management Counselling. What is critical incident stress management? It is an intervention procedure primarily and specifically intended for people affected with a traumatic event in their life. My experience in and working with the Emergency Services and Emergency Management Civil Defence lead me into being a Principal Rural Fire Officer, now retired. Assisting with Cyclone Bola devastation in March 1988 in the East Cape of the North Island and attending quite a number of Rural Fires. I have been heard to say that in my experience rural people cope in disasters and fend for themselves where as urban people require much more assistance. On occasions I have been almost eaten alive for making this statement.

During this time my wife Julie and I have raised three boys. I have been involved in many community support groups, volunteered as a soccer coach, and was on a School Board of Trustees, School Committees, Parent Teachers Associations and I guess the 12 School Camps I went on were my highlight. I am an ambitious and adaptable individual with a team attitude, pleasant mannerism, mature with a professional outlook. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, have the ability to work with people on all levels from various nationalities, multicultural backgrounds as well as also capable of prioritising time, working efficiently and effectively.

Have your say. Access to the South Waikato District Council Web Site for Rate Payers to have a say on what Council does. Make a decision on Resource Management Consents.

I believe I have the intelligence, life experience, passion, commitment, tertiary qualifications, and local knowledge to be an excellent representative of the community and an asset to the South Waikato District.

For further information you may contact me at madijess@xtra.co.nz.  Phone 07 8865405

Thank you for taking the time to read this information, Barrie Keith Herlihy JP.