Warren Slater          (See links below on side bar for videos)

 

My objective is to make Whangarei First through sincere and honest representation.  As mayor, I believe I will serve our community without “fear, favour or bias”, guide a transparent and accountable council and support local businesses, individuals and other sectors, meeting needs through a “level playing field approach” providing equal opportunities.  Interested parties will have input throughout council projects or public forums.  In my opinion, Council’s current debt is unsustainable; the wholesale sale of assets to “balance the books” is not beneficial long term and reducing wasteful expenditure, is more effective to reduce debt.  I advocate for public demand to gauge the prioritization of projects.  Having campaigned since 2007 for upgrading our sewage network protecting our harbour from pollution, my priority is to ensure infrastructure in Whangarei serves the needs of our increasing population.   I am focused on major issues, willing to listen and prepared to act.

www.warrenslater.co.nz       Ph  4594992

 

 

Top 5 Issues

1. Honestly Represent the people in our district with transparency & accountability without fear, favour or bias.
   
   
2. Promote essential project affordability and reduced debt, which will keep rates to a satisfactory level.
3. Encourage dialogue and involvement with our diverse community which will result in better decision making.
4. Instigate changes to protect our harbour and waterways to save them pollution.
5. Observe the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of the community in all decision making processes.

Personal Profile

Refer to my website....  www.warrenslater.co.nz  It tells it all.

Warren Slater was born in Auckland during the 'nifty fifties' - married Patricia in 1971 and we are still strong together in 2010.  Fortunately, my wife is very supportive and politically motivated as well.  We have a married daughter (of whom we are very proud), great son-in-law and a wonderful four year old grandson. My 90 year old mother, we care for, in our home.

I have been involved for many years over time in a Boat club and Water Safety Auckland, (both member & Committee); Coast Guard committee; crew and skipper with Auckland Volunteer Coast Guard; Launch warden with Auckland Regional Council Harbour Patrols and a volunteer on the Police Launch Deodar 2.  A far as my general interests in life - motor sports (karting & speedway), boating, aviation, entertainment, pets and peaceful country living. Warren competed in Karting during the mid 1970's and remains interested in motorsports.

As for employment, Warren Slater has been involved in sales, administration, management, financial control and customer service mainly in the automotive and furnishing industries. I managed a security team for approx 14 years. 

Warren Slater is a family and people orientated person, a team player who appreciates a keen sense of humour while having a positive, realistic approach (can fix what you acknowledge).  I can at times be very serious, (but still try to find the light at the end of the tunnel.)  I strongly believe in being a firm, fair, self motivated and reliable leader.

I believe as mayor, I will be able to guide a team of elected people to honestly represent their constituents. As all elected, we are only one vote and we must build a willing team to engage with our community in genuine dialogue to make better decisions, for all, that we are elected to represent.  All decisions must be made without fear, favour or bias, in a transparent and honest manner with the thoughts and well being of our community, close to our hearts.

Warren Slater confirms his nomination for the 2010 elections as Mayoral candidate for Whangarei, after closely monitoring local governance since early 2007, by attending most Whangarei District Council public meetings & submission processes and since standing in 2007 at the local elections.  I have also attended many Northland Regional Council and some Far North District and Kaipara District Council meetings to observe the varying styles on offer.   

Recently I attended a Local Government New Zealand ‘Know How’ course on ‘Decision Making’, in anticipation of the tasks I have ahead.  I have also listed to stand as a councillor in Okara ward. 

Unlike others, there is no big flash campaign sponsored by big business. This I believe, will enable me to make decisions without fear, favour or bias without be beholden to anyone.

People must ask, “Why I want to be Mayor?”  I believe the residents of Whangarei have not had the representation that they were duly owed by the representatives they elected in good faith.  In my opinion, I believe our present council has represented the council, rather than represent the ratepayers and truly do have the interest of all in the community at heart.  I believe in a fair deal for all.

I believe as mayor, I can make a difference, by ensuring all the people in our district are represented fairly without fear, favour or bias, hence I offer my services to the community to treat all people equally, whilst observing social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of the community.  

Watching local politics closely for the last five years it has become obvious to me that it is important that hapu and iwi need to be involved in decision making with council, as do other groups. Consultation must be genuine and not just a 'tick the box' necessary exercise around decision making.

I wish to implement the use of public forums at the commencement of council meetings.  I believe Council must also introduce meeting webcast as is done in Taupo. With technology presently available all public meetings should be recorded or broadcast. We must also ensure all elected councilors communicate regularly with their constituents with avenues of newsletters, letters or media. It’s not just up to the public relations staff to undertake that function.

I have also been proactive with many letters to the editor which are available on my website www.warrenslater.co.nz .  

My main concerns are essential project affordability and reduced debt, which will keep rates to a satisfactory level.  In my opinion, Council’s current debt is unsustainable, the wholesale sale of assets to “balance the books” is not beneficial long term and reducing wasteful expenditure is more effective to reduce debt. 

Viable asset retention, transparency and a healthy un-polluted harbour are also of high importance to our sustainable future.  

There must be equal opportunities for all in approved Council (ratepayer) property sales and the tender processes entered into being paid with ratepayer funds, must be open. 

Financial controls must be prudent and totally accountable council processes are also of high significance.  

We must remain vigilant by closely monitoring the development of mining in our region, ensuring there is no detriment to the environment through pollution or by its introduction.  

I advocate to gauge the prioritisation of projects through the level of public demand. 

Before the 2007 election and since I have campaigned for upgrading our sewage network, protecting our harbour from pollution and my priority is to ensure that Whangarei’s infrastructure serves the needs of our increasing population. 

I am proud to have constantly taken every available opportunity to apply pressure on council to improve our waste water system, which has forced them to only recently (14 July 2010) start discussing this problem in public Council meetings.  

I have also been accused by some in council of using the Official Information Act to obtain information that has been kept from our community.  I make no apology for this, as for me to make informed decisions, and to keep the community aware, some of the information requested was needed, for good decision making.

I am focused on major issues, willing to listen and prepared to act.

Together we can all make Whangarei first.

Check my website for links to my election campaign video or click on link;  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hz8bqIJ-Zh8

 If you wish to contact me to discuss issues that you believe are important for our community, or have a group who would like to meet with me, or hear their issues, please call.