Paul is a proud father, husband and local politician from Auckland city. Paul has huge aspirations for our community here in Mt Albert, Mt Roskill and Mt Eden.  Raised in Mt Roskill and now with his own family, Paul is experienced in working through the challenges of supporting communities with the right infrastructure and services we need to enjoy our way of life in central Auckland. Paul’s achievements on making our community safer have led to stable and progressive outcomes for our people.

Paul’s lifelong passion for the arts and culture are reflected in his background as a historian focusing on Auckland’s history and leading its leading identities. This makes Paul a leader who we need to take action on the issues the matter without engaging in the failed agendas of the past.

Paul can bring to the new council the right focus on confronting issues in a caring and positive manner that gets things done but which do not isolate others from the process.

In a time where people are feeling the pinch, we cannot afford to see our community driven into poverty by excessive rates hikes that our opponents want to see. What we need is a firm commitment by civic leaders to preserving our local identity and democracy and seizing on the opportunities the new Auckland council offers so we can get positive outcomes on the issues of public transport, infrastructure, community development and creating a safe and clean environment for today and tomorrow. We owe it to our families, our neighbours, our friends who make up this diverse new ward of Albert Eden Roskill to make sure that we are listened to on the new Auckland council so that we can make our region succeed.

Paul’s energy and vision and his ability to listen and act on people’s concerns is a vital skill that Paul can live up to with your vote.

Top 5 Issues

1. Acting on our Community’s Concerns for a Better Dominion Road
   
   The C&R-led council has listened extensively to the local community in developing amended proposal for the Dominion Road upgrade. The Committee has forwarded these changes and suggestions to the new Auckland Transport agency:
   • Bus lanes, which would apply only in peak travel periods (6.30 to 9.30am weekday mornings, 3.30 to 6.30pm weekday evenings).
   • Parking available on Dominion Rd during business days.
   • Reduce the number of right turn restrictions from Dominion Rd
   • A 'one-level' road surface to allow for future-proofed flexibility around lane markings.
   
   Overall we will ensure that this development process continues to engage with locals affected by providing opportunities for feedback and consultation. This will help get the best outcome for everyone.
   
2. Pah Homestead
   
   The development of Monte Cecilia Park has resulted in the restoration of the Pah homestead. In it we have reclaimed an important part of our local community’s history and heritage vital to maintaining our community’s local identity for future generations. Open to all members of the community, this important space will be open to the public enabling all members of our community to connect with the history and beauty of its collections.
   
   The C&R-led council in Auckland City has worked in partnership with the Catholic Diocese of Auckland to purchase the Monte Cecilia School and Liston Village to complete what will become one of Auckland’s premier parks for future generations. In the next five years, we are committed to ensuring that the school, its community and special character can relocate to an appropriate location that meets the educational needs of its pupils with greatly improved facilities.
   
3. Gribblehirst Park
   
   The C&R-led Council has committed its support for the for the essential upgrade of the Eden Rugby Club clubrooms at Gribblehirst Park, through the Council’s Facilities Partnership scheme. This is an important local facility that will now be expanded and improved for the community and in time for the World Cup.
   
4. Wesley Youth Space
   
   The success of our region in a new Auckland can only be ensured by us nurturing the opportunities that act on the needs of young people, provide opportunities and fundamental respect of the role of young people in enriching the culture and spirit of our community its people.
   
   Paul’s leadership of the Community Services Committee enabled the C&R-led council to invest $3.2 million to build the new Wesley Youth Space facility, to be completed in early 2011. The C&R-led council has listened to the needs of our young people of Mt Roskill and has delivered on the need to provide a centre-point for young people to develop and build relationships, learn and enjoy the community they are a part of.
   
5. Our Safety
   
   Strengthening the safety of our community and its people is as an essential we get right.
   Through Paul’s leadership of the Community Services Committee the C&R-led council has taken graffiti vandalism very seriously. Since the C&R-led council introduced a new eradication service in July 2008, graffiti has been removed from over 146,000 sites, and 176 offenders have been apprehended. In August this year, the filed a civil action in Auckland District Court against a prolific graffiti vandal in an effort to recover $33,000 in damage repair costs, a new step that demonstrates the council’s intent to hold offenders fully accountable for their actions.
   
   Another achievement in recent years has been C&R’s leadership on formalising our relationship with the New Zealand Police to bring greater clarity and emphasis on their many roles in dealing with anti-social behaviour, liquor licensing, liquor bans and gambling.
   
   Making our local areas a safer for everyone to live and grow can only be achieved through unity of the new council and our local board in partnership with community organisations and residents committed to working together in order to build a safe community and a safer region.
   

Personal Profile