Manu Caddie

Something exciting happens when people come together around the hopes they hold in common. Whether we are rich or poor, young or old, whether we live in Kaiti or Wainui, Whataupoko or Whatatutu, we seem ready to take this community in a new direction. All of us, from every part of the region, are keen to live in a vibrant, healthy and strong community and we need leaders with a track record of bringing about positive change.

My priority has always been including people most affected by decisions in the decision-making. I will vote for rates to be limited to inflation, support efforts to bring new skills and investment into the region and not compromise our natural environment, local culture and caring community.

The world is searching for examples of sustainable community – I believe with the right leadership on Council we will have something very special to offer.

Top 5 Issues

LOCAL ECONOMY: Put in place a proper plan to retain and attract world class talent for our region. Focus on knowledge and technology-based industries connected to our primary production expertise. Ensure affordable housing, food and transport is available to every resident to ensure the highest participation in education and employment.
SAFER COMMUNITIES: Build safer communities through urban planning that makes it easy for neighbours to get to know each other, support opportunities for young and old to spend time together and better coordinate central government funding for social development in the region.
AFFORDABLE RATES: Peg rates rises to no more than the rate of inflation and reducing dramatic changes in rates – working toward agreement on what should be the maximum level of change allowed between highest increase and highest decrease, etc.
INCLUSIVE DECISION-MAKING: Involve those most affected by decisions in the decision-making process. Develop more participatory budgeting processes and encourage neighbourhood groups to set local priorities for Council investment.
LOCAL INFRASTRUCTRE: Get fast broadband available for free across the region. Make the city streets safe for more cycling and walking. Retain the Gisborne-Napier rail-link by demonstrating to government the need for future transport options as the price of oil rises and accidents increase with more trucks on the road.

Personal Profile

A Bit About Me

I am 37 years old and live in Kaiti with my wife Tarsh Koia, our two children (8 and 4), Tarsh’s 84 year old grandmother and my good friend Dr Damian Skinner. We live in a vibrant part of town and often share meals and childcare with our neighbours. Our property backs on to Titirangi Reserve and we walk out our backdoor onto Kaiti Hill – it’s a beautiful place to live!

I am currently a self-employed researcher and project manager. I do work for a couple of national organisations and some local projects too.

My main projects this year are: (1) establishing a community-owned small loans facility in partnership with local budget services and churches to help people avoid loan sharks; (2) leading a national research project looking at traditional rites of passage that were the signs a Maori child has transitioned into adulthood (and how we might adapt those traditions for youth today); (3) working with local residents to increase the levels of trust amongst neighbours with the intention that more caring neighbours can help reduce child abuse and neglect.

In a voluntary capacity I am involved with a number of community organisations including:

Waikirikiri School, Board of Trustees (Chairperson)
Gisborne Cycling Advisory Group (Chairperson)
Tairawhiti Housing Advisory Group (Convenor)
Presbyterian Support East Coast (Board Member)
Te Ora Hou Te Tairawhiti Trust (Trustee)
Gisborne Council of Social Services (Executive Member)
Tairawhiti Men Against Violence (Foundation Member)
Gisborne Chamber of Commerce (Executive Member)
Rongo-i-te-Kai Marae (Treasurer)

- - - - -

Endorsements

- - - - -

Michael Chrisp (Former Gisborne City Councillor and Chair of the Finance Committee)

“I fully support Manu Caddie in his efforts to be elected to the Gisborne District Council. Since moving to Gisborne in 1998, Manu has thrown his weight into community activities. In the process he has shown an exceptional ability to inform himself on relevant issues and to provide strong and effective leadership. Gisborne is fortunate to have a candidate of this calibre offering his services and if his record to date is an indication he will work hard and intelligently for the good of the region. He deserves strong support.”

- – - – -

Councillor Nona Aston (Deputy Mayor)

“I am pleased to support Manu as a candidate for Gisborne District Council. He has made so much difference to many lives in his community. His devotion to family and his values encompass much that is needed in our region.”

- – - – -

Councillor Craig Bauld (Chair, Finance Committee)

“It is important that Council gets a range of intelligent, thoughtful, hard-working, and committed people who want to make this a better community – and Manu is all of those things. I have a lot of respect for him and I believe he’d make an excellent councillor”.

- – - – -

Councillor Kathy Sheldrake

“As a retiring Councillor I am encouraged by the number of new candidates considering standing for the local body elections – in particular the younger age group.”

- – - – -

Dr Monty Soutar (Historian & Author)
“Manu has a heart for our youth and the underprivileged and he knows the importance of including people affected by decision-making. For these reasons he has my support.”

- – - – -

Geoff Thorpe (Founder & Managing Director, Riversun)

“I have had the good fortune to work alongside Manu on a range of local initiatives designed to empower the most disadvantaged within our community. The best term to I have heard used to describe Manu is ’social entrepreneur’- this man has all the qualities of an entrepreneur – vision, passion, leadership, innovation, committment and energy – essentially, the ability to ‘make great things happen’. What is so special about Manu is that he, with the support of his wonderful wife Tarsh, has tirelessly directed all these rare qualities towards addressing many of the social inequities within our community – and has achieved great things in this area. Gisborne needs many more people like Manu – while we are all blessed to live in such a beautiful region and belong to such a dynamic community, there is still so much work to be done before we can truly claim to live in ‘paradise’. I have no doubt that Manu Caddie would make an excellent councillor and play a vital role in ensuring the GDC provides the appropriate vision and leadership required for our community to reach its full potential.”

- – - – -

Rev Shirley Barker-Kirby (Gisborne Presbyterian Parish)

“I am delighted to endorse Manu Caddie as a candidate for a seat on the District Council. I have found Manu to be a man of principle who lives the gospel of Jesus Christ upon which he grounds his life and his work. He truly understands the meaning of social justice and compassion as the foundation for caring community. Manu also possesses the conviction and courage to put his ideals into action for the good of all. With a solid track record in community development, Manu will bring strong organisational abilities to the role of Councillor. His understanding of social policy will be invaluable. As a Councillor, Manu’s previous work and insights regarding strengthening family and extending compassionate community across all social groups will be true assets. I believe Manu is committed to establishing fair and equitable community in Gisborne, and I look forward to him becoming a servant-leader of this precious community of Gisborne.”

- – - – -

Rev Ron Elder

Manu Caddie has deep roots in the Gisborne community. They have been forged out of his work alongside people and causes whose voices are often ignored in the democratic process. His vision is for a community in which everybody participates. I fully support his candidacy for Council.

- – - – -

Rory McCourt (President, Tairawhiti Youth Voice – Gisborne District Youth Council)

“I am pleased to personally support Manu’s candidacy for the Gisborne District Council. He has continued to support and advocate for our community. His dedicated work with both Kaiti residents and young people is evidence of this commitment. A champion of youth voice and representation, along with a raft of other causes, I am sure Manu will be an excellent Councillor- connected and backed by the community that values him.”

- – - – -

Te Hamua Shane Nikora (The Happy Coastie, Homai Te Pakipaki)

“Manu Caddie is one of thos guys who talks the talk, but also walks the walk! He’s out there in the community doing it for the community every day… all day. I support Manu in this venture… a vote for this man is NOT a vote wasted!”

- – - – -

Dianne Saunders (Area Manager, Barnardos)

I was fortunate this week to attend the Every Child Counts Conference in Wellington. One of the speakers was Lyn Campbell, a Families Commissioner with broad experience in community development with a focus on advocacy for young people and families. She posed the thought-provoking question “Where are the Champions?” Lyn said we need more champions for children. She said in the course of her work around the country she has met a true champion, his name is Manu Caddie and she spoke about some of the work Manu has initiated. I introduced myself to Lyn and told her I knew Manu, that he was part of our community and I was privileged to count him and his wife as friends. She reminded me how lucky we are to have this young man working with us, in our community.

- – - – -

Blair Crookston (National Sales Manager, Hewlett Packard NZ)

“Since I met Manu a couple of years ago I have been astounded at his energy, effectiveness and capacity for getting things done and making a difference in Gisborne. Manu is very skilled at bringing people together and fostering effective communciation for positive action with diverse groups. He is the kind of guy that Gisborne needs on council and I recommend voting for him in the upcoming local body elections.”

- – - – -

Tony Robinson (Solicitor)

“I have been privileged to work with Manu on projects for the benefit of the Tairawhiti community. Manu has incredible passion and dedication to our city and particularly the young people. I believe he will bring energy and vision if elected to council. I urge everyone to participate in the local government election and of course to vote for Manu.”

- – - – -

- - - - -

Track Record

There are a number of local initiatives I have been involved with over the years that demonstrate my commitment to the wellbeing of communities in the Gisborne region.

I can't claim sole responsibility for the success of any of these projects, they have all been team efforts involving hundreds of local people and other organisations, but I think I've had a significant role in the establishment of each of these initiatives and I am proud to still be associated with them:

- - - - -

KA PAI KAITI

A residents association started in 2000 for Kaiti people wanting to make Kaiti an even better place to live. Ka Pai Kaiti has led a wide of projects in Kaiti including annual Waitangi Day commemorations, neighbourhood research projects, Ilminster Pool opening over summer, street clean-ups, community gardens, public artworks and recreation facilities development, etc.

- - - - -

TE WHARE WHAI HUA - SCHOOL FOR TEENAGE PARENTS

Run in partnership with Lytton High School this second-chance education programme and early childhood education service enables young parents to continue their school studies, develop positive parentling skills and go on to tertiary study or employment.

- - - - -

TAIRAWHITI MEN AGAINST VIOLENCE

TMAV is a group of guys who are committed to empowering themselves and other men to be great partners, parents, mates and members of the community. We are not experts just people who care and want to do something to change the way things are. We got together after three partner murder-suicides in Gisborne in 2006.

- - - - -

TRANSITION TAIRAWHITI

Ever wondered what kind of world we will leave behind for our grandchildren? Transition Towns is a global grassroots movement committed to moving toward more sustainable lifestyles. Transition Tairawhiti organises events that help our community think and talk about creating a more resilient community that can thrive in a world where oil is much more expensive: www.transitiontowns.org.nz/gisborne - A new action group to save the Gisborne-Napier railway has emerged out of this network.

- - - - -

GISBORNE CYCLING ADVISORY GROUP

The purpose of the Cycling Advisory Group is to provide input and advice into the cycling activities and services carried out by Gisborne District Council. We have made good progress over the past two years with improvements to road engineering, cycle safety education and other activities designed to make cycling in Gisborne easier and safer.

- - - - -

TAIRAWHITI HOUSING ADVISORY GROUP

The purpose of the Tairawhiti Housing Advisory Group is to identify opportunities for, and barriers to, improving access to quality, appropriate and affordable housing for all residents in the Gisborne region. We are working on a scoping project to determine housing needs in our region and a plan to address the priorities.

- - - - -

TE ORA HOU

Tarsh and I got involved with Te Ora Hou as volunteer youth workers in 1998. Te Ora Hou is still mostly volunteer youth workers with projects based in Kaiti and at the Alfred Cox Skate Park (an alternative education programme and skate park supervision and mentoring services).

- - - - -

TE PUNA REO O PUHI KAITI

Te Puna Reo is a Maori language early childhood education centre on the corner of Belfast Cres and Cambridge Tce that opened in 2009. Currently licensed for 25 children, it is the only ECE immersion Maori centre in Gisborne that is lead by qualified teachers (including my wife Tarsh!).

- - - - -

TITIRANGI COMMUNITY GARDEN

Every Sunday afternoon (as long as its not too wet) from 2-4pm in winter and 4-6pm in summer, a group of Kaiti residents meet up the back of Te Poho o Rawiri Marae to work on Titirangi Community Garden. This is a plot of land that backs on to our property in Cambridge Tce has been set aside since 2008 for local residents to grow vegetables on. We have older people teaching younger people how to grow their own food. Anyone is welcome to join in and share the harvest – bring garden tools or use the ones we have available to share.