I have had a stimulating and enjoyable first term on Council since being elected in 2007. I have enjoyed my North Ward responsibilities and now look forward to a greater, district-wide focus.

As a sitting councillor, I have served on committees including Works, Planning & Bylaws, Community Parks & Recreation and Finance.  I am a member of the Rotorua Lakes Community Board, Rotorua Tourism Board and Community Safety Projects Fund. 

I contributed positively to our recent successful rates review, Long Term Council Plan and the review of the District Plan which is ongoing.  As a member of the Waste Minimisation Sub-Committee I fought hard for new recycling options and much work remains to be done.

Some of the many areas I plan to progress include community safety initiatives, support for business and progressing the lakefront development.  Thank you for your support to continue my work on the Rotorua District Council.

I have been writing a blog about council and community issues since the beginning of this year.  I have also included a page listing my attendances for the current year at various council meetings, workshops and other activities.

http://crkarenhunt.blogspot.com

Top 5 Issues

1. Strengthening Community Safety
   I want all Rotorua residents to love where they live because they feel safe here. One area that needs more attention is street and amenity lighting. I believe Council has a responsibility to improve street lighting in our older suburbs. By targeting Council spending where it is most needed and by employing good environmental design we can address problem areas.
   When we work with the local residents they become actively involved in the ongoing care of their neighbourhoods and this helps foster a growing community spirit for the majority who live there. This involves active maintenance by Council and dedicated community groups working together caring for our parks and gardens, stream margins and walkways. Where the council cares deeply, neighbourhoods flourish. This helps to create a feeling of safety and a sense of pride about where we live.
   
2. Improving Lakes Water Quality
   The continued sewerage reticulation of lakeside communities and the active promotion of land use change for farming and multiple owned Maori land, is making a difference. These and other steps will continue to assist in the fight to clean up the Te Arawa Lakes. We need to work with farmers facing land use and nitrogen capping challenges and strengthen our relationship. We must acknowledge the enormity of the issues facing our region and the fact that we can’t make a difference in isolation. We can significantly change the outcomes, working together.
   I support the continued education of our whole district about the health of our lakes and this means informing everyone of the steps they can take to help improve water quality. This can be as simple as moving to phosphate free cleaning products. I hope to continue my involvement on the Rotorua Lakes Community Board to further progress improving water quality and other issues of importance to these communities.
3. Sustainable Business Development
   Council participation is vital to enhance opportunities for business in Rotorua. The council’s role is no longer that of merely a regulator, but is also that of a leader, partner and facilitator. Council and business must become willing and active partners to enable business to grow.
   As a councillor, I will support a review of council policies that appear to hinder change. I will also support changes that acknowledge the business aspirations of members of our community. There are some much needed changes required to the District Plan, such as zoning and subdivision and these will be instrumental in the redevelopment of the CBD and district.
   Further expansion of our successful partners’ programme will continue to enhance the life of our inner-city. New initiatives along the lines of Eat Streat and the Night Market, will provide further impetus to retail development and spending.
   A healthy relationship between business and the community is imperative to ensure that our city evolves in a way that is in harmony with our identity, social, environmental and cultural values.
   
4. Keeping Rates Affordable
   I believe it is important to plan for the current and future needs of our ratepayers. This requires continual evaluation of the levels of service expected by the ratepayers, balanced against their ability to pay. It is important for council to evaluate its own performance to ensure that the ratepayer is getting value for money. Your feedback is vital in keeping me aware of the changing needs of the community and your willingness to highlight those areas where there is still work to be done.
5. Enhancing the Visitor Experience
   Tourism will always be a mainstay of the Rotorua economy with one in five residents employed in the industry. Visitors to Rotorua, whether for pleasure or business, contribute significantly to our economy.
   The council has made major investments in infrastructure such as the Energy and Events Centre and the Rotorua International Airport to promote Rotorua as a destination. Events are now a major drawcard to Rotorua and I plan to have the issue of local event signage seriously addressed and the continued promotion of Rotorua on the international stage.
   
   

Personal Profile

I have lived in Rotorua since 1992 and my family has grown up here.

I am standing for my second term on the Council in the 2010 Elections.

 

I grew up in Auckland and trained as a General and Obstetric Nurse at Greenlane Hospital, graduating in 1981. I spent a few years working in London as a private nurse which helped support my love of travelling.

After returning to NZ I joined a pharmaceutical company and worked for a few years in sales and marketing. It was during this time I met and married my husband Greg. 

During the years when my children were young I was actively involved in the community, beginning in Auckland where I taught aqua-aerobics for two years. 

After moving to Rotorua in 1992 I taught classes in personal growth, I ran the Lakeland Progressive Art Society organising art classes in the community and  I completed a Certificate in Adult Teaching. More recently I have attended classes in Te Reo Maori.

For seven years from late 1999 I was heavily involved in the planning, creation and running of the Rotorua Arts Village. I was a member of the initial steering committee, I was an inaugral member of the Rotorua Arts Village Trust and I was actively involved in the day to day administration of the arts village. During this time I undertook several community projects; the creation of RAVE's mosaic floor was the most satisfying of these.

I have always been dedicated to community service and am passionately committed to Rotorua which has been my home for the last 18 years.