Merle White

Standing for: Auckland Council - Great Barrier Local Board

When I said I was going to stand for the new Local Board someone asked if I was going to campaign. Stand on a soap-box, I thought? Not likely. But I did agree to put a piece in the Barrier Bulletin which is much more effective than standing on any soap-box, so that those who do not know me, could get a broad view of who I am and what I believe in.

A mother and grandmother I am family orientated and community minded and at this point have been administrator for Rural Women NZ Awana Branch for five years and more recently taken the same position with Seniornet GBI.

Great Barrier Island has been home for over twenty-five years because my husband (now deceased) and I chose to come here after living and working overseas for many years, and with a house full of sports orientated children it followed that I would serve on local committees during those years.

We fell in love with the Island, set up house and put down strong roots on Okupu Ridge, where the wind blows and the views are spectacular. I might add that the day we bought was calm and still and the first wild winds from the east were a shock. But we didn’t pack up and leave because our ranch slider got blown out, we planted a windbreak.

So having chosen to live here, I am pleased to be able to wake up and get out of bed to face each day, on this piece of paradise.

Besides being active in Rural Women NZ Awana Branch and Seniornet GBI, I am also a regular at the Community Hui, following the heartbeat of the Island as the people work through the results of the Global Financial Crisis and come to terms with the expected Emissions Trading Scheme and promised increase in GST. I attended each Royal Commission meeting held here on the Island and spoke in support of my submission. Community Board meetings are always marked on my year planner and I have sat and listened for six years, following the Islanders’ passions and concerns. As a result I believe that now is the time to become personally involved.

I am forever grateful that I am a citizen of a country that allowed women the vote when many other countries refused. But I don’t qualify as a women’s libber because I never burnt my bra. I do however believe in equality and thankfully the Barrier offers that; women operate heavy machines and men wash windows and vacuum floors. Long may it continue. I support sustainability but struggle with the rules placed on cutting kanuka and manuka particularly as the recent wet has produced a burst of about fifty seedlings of each sprouting in my lawn. I lean toward the green, growing and buying organic where I can and composting anything that remains stationary without putting down roots. My main power source is solar and I have more water tanks than most because I have lived in drought stricken countries and watched the land die of thirst.

I am my own person, make up my own mind about things, follow my own conscience and speak up when necessary.

Now I want to see the Island get a fair go under the Super City about to be unveiled. Its birth is unlikely to be smooth and seamless, too many people in high places are making promises that will ultimately be impossible to achieve. This in turn creating a breeding ground for a multitude of issues and concerns, all of which will be left for those at the coalface to fix.

The only promise I make is that I will do my best.

Also let me state now, that yes, I do have a credit card, but it’s my money I’m spending!

Finally, I believe a strong Local Board of dedicated people is more essential now than ever before and I think my common sense approach to life would be of benefit.

Merle White

Email: mothermerle@xtra.co.nz

Phone 4290350