Kirstyn Barnett has proven leadership skills as a community advocate and organiser of activities, including the Woodend Market, Walking School Bus, Woodend Mural project, Keep NZ Beautiful, Art & Craft Show amongst others.  She is a Board Member of the Woodend Ashley Ward Advisory Board and Vice President of the Woodend Community Association.

“I have been approached by many people who would like to see their councillors being visibly proactive in their Wards, giving greater recognition to community views and creating more long term action plans at the council table,” Kirstyn Barnett says. 

“Waimakariri is experiencing major growth and the needs of its residents are outstripping the current provision of core infrastructure.  We need councillors who are able to change with the times and look ahead by implementing development strategies which maintain a high standard of service to ratepayers, without placing an undue rate burden on households.”

Kirstyn is 41, married to a supportive husband and has two children.  Kirstyn enjoys singing, drama and tennis and is a member of the Waikuku Song Club.  She also describes herself as an avid Crusaders/All Black supporter and an armchair referee! 

Daughter of an Air Force pilot, Kirstyn Barnett learnt social responsibility at an early age.  “My father taught me that leadership was something you learned by doing and that it was important to stand up and be counted.  His attitude was “don’t complain, fix the problem.”

Kirstyn Barnett was educated at University of Canterbury, doing a BA in Japanese language.  After working in Japan to gain fluency, Kirstyn was first employed in the tourism industry, before moving into sales/marketing through experience at Air New Zealand, in the electronics industry and as an advertising account executive.  She also worked for Mainstreets Hastings in CBD promotions, fundraising and event management, before returning to Christchurch.

Kirstyn believes smaller towns, families and young people in Waimakariri need better representation.  She promises to advocate for a clear action plan for the Ashley Bridge and greater recognition of community views to avoid issues such as the Alfred Street closure.  

"I believe local people have the best local knowledge which should be better utilised in council decision-making.  I would like to see our community boards given more opportunities to contribute at a higher lever with the potential to manage projects and potentially even some community facilities.  In my time on the Advisory Board, we have worked hard to submit for improvements to the Ashley/Rangiora bridge, advocate for better waste management solutions and for improvements to small towns.  It was very rewarding to help organise the Woodend Community Street Review with the Board, council staff and Woodend School Head Students.  This community synergy has led to immediate improvements to the footpaths/crossings and shows ways council and community partnerships can achieve excellent results." 

Kirstyn also championed community causes by raising a petition against restricted use of the local Community Centre and submitted to keep neighbourhood playgrounds district wide from being closed.  She believes council and community boards should have an open door policy and respect the overall views of residents.

For common sense, planning and project management skills – choose Kirstyn Barnett.

For more information, see www.kirstynbarnett.wordpress.com

Top 5 Issues

1. *Clear solution for Ashley Bridge to be managed and communicated to residents.
2. *Fair equitable rating system to avoid excessive rates for farms/larger land blocks which allows residents to pay appropriate, affordable levels.
3. *Better linkage of council activities to the community with clear, effective communication channels, allowing a wide range of demographic groups to participate in decision-making.
4. *Develop long term roading and infrastructure solutions to accommodate the issues created by major growth in our district.
5. *Encourage private enterprise partnerships to develop better facilities in our district, create job opportunities and reduce the rating burden on residents.

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