Hello Voter :  A wise New Zealander once said "The closed mouth is never fed".This is a golden opportunity to make your voice heard and elect change.I will give renewed voice for all Upper Hutt residents,by standing for a city council that recognizes that Upper Hutt residents need a local government that is decisive,and empathic to all circumstances that affect the residents . Over the last 16 years I have had the wonderful opportunity of living in various areas of greater Wellington. In saying that I can truly say with conviction,Upper Hutt is the "Family Friendly" choice. Keeping Upper Hutt family friendly,will be part of every issue I endorse in council.I will be asking myself when the vote is called "How will this affect Upper Hutt Families" I know that every resident would like to express concerns regarding issues that effect them. I can promise you as a city councilor I will be your voice of concern, along with the voice of viable solutions. Being part of the solution in a positive productive manner,either in business or personal life is how I have always endeavoured.I do not represent any special interest groups in business , the only interest I represent is the interest of Upper Hutt residents who call for a "Back to Basics" approach to local government. 

I held the role of Chairperson for Experience Upper Hutt in late 2007 to mid 2008. I campaigned vigorously to increase the profile of Upper Hutt businesses.The battle to get keep Experience Upper Hutt council  funded, did pay off . The X card was launched , along with new business growth programmes that continue to benefit the wider community. The opportunity of working with the dedicated Experience Upper Hutt members gave me an insight to the challenges that still face the main street retailers.Even though I applaud the creativity of the artists and their works,unfortunately the negitive stigma of Main street can not be eliminated by the placement of a few pieces of artwork, or new planter boxes. I can promise as councilor I will endorse the continued unsung efforts of Experience Upper Hutt as they work towards successful solutions to promote the CBD.

I strongly support that Youth are the future of the community and through increased job programmes and community pride, youth can make a positive contribution. The key to success, is to have a council funded job program that allows Youth to work on community improvement projects. The payoff is youth are able to get involved in community pride and receive personal income and job experience. The residual effect from the Youth work programme will allow extended opportunities for Youth to grow their skills into other job opportunities.

I am proposing a"Rates Freeze" for the next two years, followed by proactive action to maintain yearly rate increases(below the inflation rate).This is  an achievable funding goal. The"Rates Freeze" will allow household budget relief to ratepayers,and challenge council to be extremely diligent in fund allocation,and future spending."Everyone enjoys a challenge". Keeping our parks and reserves clean and maintained is also high on my list. Upper Hutt has great potential to show  the rest of the country what a"Whanau Friendly Community" is all about. Proactive rather than reactive action towards the plague of tagging and vandalism that has recently defaced our city. I am proposing the building of an "Wilderness Adventure Park",that will create job opportunities through the Youth job program, I will submit to council. The park will also create alternative revenue for the council. The proposal of a "Centralized Recycle/Reuse Center" allowing public access for the drop off of recyclable goods during the week,will increase recycle opportunities. These are just a few of the new ideas and fresh approach that are shared by myself and other concerned Upper Hutt voters. As a newly elected city councilor I will strive to keep my finger on the pulse of the current issues that directly affect all Upper Hutt residents. Thank you for your Time   

Regards Mark Carter    

"Supporting a Family Friendly Upper Hutt"

Top 5 Issues

1. Rates Freeze :
   Yes rates are a necessary evil ,but lately we have been bombarded with increases from GST to interest rates, the list goes on. Even though we can not control these increases, Council has the power to control rate increases. Some believe that keeping rate increases low is achieving measurable results. Rather than jumping on the "Low Rates" campaign bandwagon, I would like to challenge that a step further. I am proposing a" Rates Freeze" for the next two years, followed by proactive action to keep rate increases below the cost of yearly inflation .Rate payers deserve to be given temporary monatary relief due to the ongoing negitive down turn of the property market, in conjunction with the current economic climate. The economic recovery has been slow at best. City council must diligently explore other creative fiscal avenues. We continue to accept the yearly programmed option of raising rates, as the(first port of call )for council funding. At the end of the day council has the final say on this matter, it would be a welcomed ,and appreciated relief to ratepayers knowing the fact that regardless of all the other taxing increases that ratepayers are faced with, rate increases would be be put on hold, for the next two years. Giving ratepayers some breathing room for a change.
2. Proactive control on vandalism ,tagging and graffiti: Estabishing posted signs and incentives that community members will report individuals that are engaging in vandalism or tagging, through a direct line to law enforcement or community watch programmes. Convicted offenders should also be named and shamed in local papers and community notices. Increased 24hr monitoring of high risk areas in the CBD, would allow further assistance to identfy and report anti social behavior.
3. Local Parks and Reserves need to be kept Family Friendly: Vigriously monitoring for safety ,maintance and cleanliness issues. The introduction of Park Rangers to monitor local parks for illegal and undesirable behavior, would allow a family friendly environment void of intimidation. Exploring the possibility of building an Wilderness Adventure Park ,which would be a revenue generating option for the council.
4. A centralized Recycle / Reuse center : The community can use the facility to drop off all recyclable goods during the week, in conjuction with the exsisting kurb side pick up routes . Need to increase our reuse ,recycle profile by making access to recycling easier and profitable for Upper Hutt residents.Local organizations could also partipate in recycle drives through out there communities.
5. Empowering Youth through community focused job opportunities funded by council: Create interaction and opportunities with local business . Allowing youth to take pride in their communties future. The council youth work progamme will generate personal income and work experience for Upper Hutt Youth.

Personal Profile

Hello again Voter , Who is Mark R. Carter ?  First I am a dedicated 48 year old husband , who has two wonderful school aged girls , who attend Plateau School ,and love it. My wife works locally part time. We live in TeMarua , have lived in Upper Hutt for over 10 years. I currently work as a business  management professional in Wellington, but have in the past  worked in Upper Hutt . While I worked in Upper Hutt , I was working with Experience Upper Hutt , to combat the issues that continue to plague the retail business sector of the CBD.  MORE TO COME SOON...