Paul Mitchell

 

INDEPENDENT Ratepayers and Residents

I am a current Waitakere City Councillor, Self Employed and married to Karyn with 2 daughters and three grandchildren.

 For the past 3 years I have represented the Waitakere Ward with 100% commitment 24/7. I stood by the pledges I made to you. I seek your support to serve on the Waitakere Ranges Local Board and the Waitakere Licensing Trust (Waitakere). I hope to represent you with an effective voice to promote your concerns and aspirations with a common sense and a no nonsense approach.

I am an Independent Resource Management Hearing Commissioner who is passionate about all environmental issues, while recognizing landowner’s rights and concerns.

I am a stalwart of the community, who has served on many committees, a life member of the NZ Hot Rod Association, past President and Committee Member of the Oratia Resident and Ratepayers Association.

 

WAITAKERE LICENSING TRUST - WARD 3

For the past 3 years I have represented you as your City Councillor with 100% commitment 24/7.

Close ties between Council and the Trust has allowed me to gain an insight into the activities the Trust undertakes. I support responsible licensing, gambling regulations and the work the Trust does within our communities and clubs.

As a Trustee I would expect strong policies in regards to host responsibilities, gambling,  the sale of alcohol and anti violence. 

I support the ongoing charitable grants given back to the community while at the same time recognize the Trust needs to be more competitive. I am results focused with balanced views. I admire the work the Trust undertakes and would consider it a privilege to be part of this organization that helps people to grow into a better way of life.

 I would appreciate your support.

 

 

Top 5 Issues

1. 1. Town Centre Improvements.
   
   I wish to ensure that our town centres are an attractive place where the community can feel safe and proud of the facilities - sometimes its as simple as removing graffiti and making shop windows look more appealing. I wish to see the Glen Eden Town Centre concept plan implemented.
   
   To ensure the upgrade on Lopdell House is completed as soon a possible.
2. 2. Anti Graffiti.
   
   I will actively promote Zero Tolerance on graffiti. I will support the continued funding of the "Tag Out Trust" whilst encouraging community buy in.
   
   At the end of the day, we as a community, need to take ownership of this problem and work together.
3. 3. Transport & Communication.
   
   I will advocate for effective rail service intergrated with local feeder bus services to rail stations. I recognise a large part of our ward is rural and therefore see the benefit of increased secure and safe Park & Ride facilities to meet the demand.
   
   I recognise there is a need for improved disabled access to the Glen Eden Railway Station ie: Ramps removed - replaced with Lifts similar to Swanson.
   
   I actively support integrated off road cycleways. It would be sensible to locate the cycleways parallel to the Auckland Rail Corridor.
   
   I would like to see the continuation of the safe rural walkways and footpath projects. Advocate to government a further reduction in Rural speed limits from the current bylaws.
   
   To continue to advocate for rural high -speed Broadband.
4. 4. Environment.
   
   I am passionate about the environment and recognise the need to protect the Waitakere Ranges. I also recognise landowners rights and concerns. The Local Board needs to ensure the correct balance.
   
   Keep our beaches and streams clean
   by continuing "Project Twin Streams".
5. 5. Tourism.
   
   To make Auckland a world class tourist destination.
   
   The Waitakeres Ranges are the backdrop of Auckland City and offers huge tourism potential. The local board needs to be mindful of the financial benefits tourism brings.
   
   By promoting tourism, economic growth is stimulated. This could be as simple as encouraging and promoting small local industries.
   
   We need to ensure the film industry is also encouraged to utilise our iconic landscape.
   

Personal Profile

Paul Mitchell

My political life in Waitakere City commenced some 15years ago when I decided to represent on a private basis the interests of the ratepayers in the area of the Oratia Structure Plan and relative plans to the Foothills and the Waitakere Ranges relating to their property rights and the implications of the Resourse Management Act and its effect on local landowners. I decided in 2007 that my interests on behalf of these local landowners would best be served by standing for Council, and I have been a Councillor since that time.

I am a self employed Engineer.  I have lived and grown up in the West with my childhood spent in Glen Eden and working life shared between the Pacific Island's and owning an orchard in Oratia. 

Living in the Pacific has provided me with an insight into various Pacific Island cultures.  For six years I was employed by the NZ Government as a Consultant Marine & Mechanical Engineer in the Solomon Islands and Tuvalu.  I have also worked in Fiji on various contracts.  

The skills I have acquired through working in remote areas have enabled me to think laterally.  This is a skill that I have utilized many times in my role as the Waitakere Ward Councillor.  My engineering skills have enabled me to provide solutions in areas around Infrastructure and Works.

My main interest during the past 3 years has been serving the community as the Waitakere Ward Councillor.  My hobbies are restoring classic and vintage vehicles, attending the speedway at Western Springs and spending precious time with my wife and 3 Grandchildren. 

I look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve you and represent you with an effective voice to promote your concerns and aspirations with a common sense no nonsense approach. 

I ask for your vote to serve on the Waitakere Ranges Local Board and the Waitakere Licensing Trust.

Please feel free to contact me: 

Phone: (09) 818 6885 

PM.Exports@xtra.co.nz