We can achieve many things by being genuine and respectful to one another. That’s why Hutt City needs 21-year-old Ephraim Gazo who takes this view wholeheartedly.

Ephraim believes in engaging everyone to participate in our city’s decision-making process. His involvement with various community groups, including Youth Infusion and Hutt Multicultural Council connects him with people from all walks of life, making him highly suitable to represent the Eastern Ward’s diverse population.

Committed to addressing a number of concerns such as safe communities, graffiti, and accessibility to our elected members, Ephraim is also passionate in getting young people actively involved in their communities as well as celebrating the cultural diversity of Hutt City.

Residing in Naenae and currently finishing a BA at Victoria University, Ephraim advocates for a council that is sensible and future-focused.

A vote for Ephraim will ensure that you and your future’s future will be well looked after.

Top 5 Issues

1. "Safe Streets"
   • Provide a safer environment for our communities, with less graffiti and vandalism.
   • Advocate and ensure that our streets, footpaths, shopping centres and subways are to a safe standard.
   • To provide support in order to strengthen and enhance the work of our community patrols, neighbourhood support and local Māori wardens.
   
2. "Connecting Communities"
   • To be an effective advocate in ensuring that the Eastern Ward gets its voice heard in Council
   • The Eastern Ward has one of the most diverse communities in Lower Hutt; I will work to ensure that all of these voices are strengthened and heard.
   • ‘’Connecting Communities’’ – to create bridges between communities so that they can gain the strength and knowledge to support and assist one another.
   • To foster better engagement with young people allowing them to get involved, to participate and to contribute to our society.
   
3. "Accessible to all"
   • Guarantee that I will be an approachable and accessible elected member to the public I serve.
   • To advocate for good urban design and an improvement in our infrastructure that will function well for our diverse communities - families, youth, elderly and the disabled.
   • Ensure our diverse communities are aware of what council does for them and what is available for them.
   
4. "Recreation, Rest and Relaxation"
   • Enhance existing recreational facilities and promote their good use.
   • Utilise our existing venues, resources and services to showcase local ‘grassroots’ talent.
   • Encourage the promotion of Hutt City as a place of leisure: a place for families to have quality family time, and for communities to relax together, admire and make the most of what our city has to offer such as our Eastern hills and the Waiwhetu stream.
   
5. "Future-Focused"
   Council should be future-focused as I am part of this generation who will be living with the long-term consequences of these council decisions.
   • Environment – sustainable solutions to water and waste; protecting our natural environment for future generations.
   • Economy – supporting local businesses, while at the same time encouraging sustainable development which will foster a lively economy to provide employment opportunities for all of our residents.
   • Social – to promote, cherish and protect our city’s heritage; to reach out and listen to the disenfranchised and marginalised members of our society and to act as a voice on their behalf in order for them to restore their faith and trust in our political system.
   

Personal Profile

My involvement with the community:

• Hutt Multicultural Council Secretary
• Naenae Computer Clubhouse Trustee
• Youth Infusion Member for 5 years; Strategic Development Officer for 2010
• Sister Cities NZ
• “CBD Making Places” Project Reference Group Member