A Waiheke resident and ratepayer for over 25 years, I have 15 years experience in local government.

I was Councillor for the Hauraki Gulf Islands Ward, Auckland City Council, for 9 years from 1998 to 2007. During this time I was a member of a range of Council Committees and working parties and was appointed to several organisations outside Council including Zone 1 representative, Local Government New Zealand. From 1998 to 2001, I chaired Council's Hauraki Gulf Islands Committee and from 2004 to 2007, I chaired the Planning Fixtures Committee. I was a Member and Deputy Chair of the Waiheke Community Board from 1992 to 1998 and, as Councillor for the Hauraki Gulf, sat on both the Waiheke and Great Barrier Community Boards. I am a Qualified Hearings Commissioner with 15 years experience and hold a Chairing Endorsement. A keen walker, I was the political motivator behind Waiheke's very successful Walkway Network.

I'm a founding member of the National Community Boards’ Association; a former Chair of the Auckland Region Community Boards’ Association and was a keynote speaker at the first Community Boards' Conference held in Christchurch in 1997.

An active member of a wide range of community and environmental organisations over the years, my involvement has included: Waiheke Citizens Advice Bureau, School Board of Trustees, SPCA Committee, Waiheke Recreation Centre Trust, Waiheke Visitor Board, Weed Control Trust and Toxins Action Group. I am a founding member and former President of Waiheke Island Toastmasters and am currently - an Adult Literacy Tutor, a member of Probus and a founding member of Waiheke's Friends of the Roosters.

“My experience in the community, from the grassroots upwards, guarantees I understand local issues. A proven hard worker, I’m committed to preserving the special nature of Waiheke and Rakino for the future.” - Faye

Top 5 Issues

1. Governance
   The single biggest issue facing the new Local Board will be to establish a good working relationship with the new Supercity Council and Mayor. This relationship needs to be based on mutual respect and a desire to make local communities and the wider region work for the benefit of all. This is the only way to get greater autonomy and real local decision-making for Waiheke and to retain it in the long term.
   
   
   
   
2. Affordable Rates:
   We need to ensure that the rates remain reasonable and affordable. In the new Supercity, local communities will be expected to pay for many of their own local projects and the new council will strike ‘targeted rates’ to achieve this. That means, that the priorities the Waiheke Local Board puts forward must be carefully scrutinised and be value-for-money. There is no room for waste.
   
3. Infrastructure and Public Facilities:
   Waiheke’s infrastructure and public facilities need constant attention and some amenities need upgrading so that Waiheke remains an attractive place to live and visit. The Waiheke Walkway Network is now well established and needs on-going maintenance and expansion in the long term. We must be careful not to fall behind other small communities (both here and overseas) that are already providing a high quality environment, facilities and attractions and have done so at a reasonable cost.
   
4. Environmental Protection:
   Waiheke’s environment needs help. The recent 'weather bombs', where a large volume of rain has fallen in a very short time, have put great pressure on Waiheke's infrastructure. With every heavy rain, gutters run brown with silt from unsealed roads and driveways and from slips. This silt pours into the Gulf, destroying the marine environment. This is not consistent with Waiheke's position in the middle of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.
   
   A lot of work has been done already on Waiheke by Council and by dedicated volunteers, but much land still needs weed control and re-afforesting. This is the only way to restore the eco-system and get some birdlife back on the Island.
   I’m a strong advocate for the environment and a sustainable future. Both are 'givens'.
   
   
5. Jobs:
   We need more jobs on the island. Because of the cost, in both time and money, commuting to work is not an option for some people. Young people, in particular, need to know they can stay on Waiheke and gain meaningful employment.
   Good public facilities and infrastructure and on-going investment in a stunning environment will stimulate the local economy and encourage people to visit Waiheke for all the right reasons.
   Good facilities for visitors also means better services for us locals.
   

Personal Profile

Qualifications

I have a Bachelor of Arts Degree; a Master of Philosophy in Social Policy (with Distinction) and a Diploma in Professional Ethics.

I wrote my Masters thesis on Community Boards in New Zealand.