Electing 7 Board Members
- POWER TO THE PEOPLE
All Aucklanders' interests aren't limited to the boundaries of their wards, demarcated in Wellington but it is fair to say that the wider population has a particular interest in what goes on in the heart of our city which for residents of the Waitemāta board also happens to be home. I'm committed to listening to our community and ensuring that our views are heard by council. I intend to build a close relationship with the councillor elected to represent the Waitemāta Ward to promote accountability and will be keeping a close eye on council to make sure that events like the 2011 World Cup aren't used as an excuse to fast track decision making without due consultation.
Power to the people means power to all people, not just those with the loudest voices. I will be making a conscious effort to engage with as many of the diverse communities Waitemāta is home to, as I can. - TANGATA WHENUA
Central government has left a lot of space for ambiguity when it comes to determining local government's obligations to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Statutes state that local governments, 'shall take into account' and 'have particular regard to,' principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. This means that the onus is on individual councils to determine the level of engagement they undertake with local hapu and iwi.
I firmly believe that tangata whenua have a right to determine the direction this city takes and be involved in decision making from start to finish. - TRANSPORT
I don't own a car, I never have. I own a bicycle, his name is Rhett. And he gets me from A to Z and everywhere in between, whether that be to the supermarket downtown or along the North Western cycle way to my friend's place in Massey.
If elected to the Waitemāta Local Board I will be proposing a policy whereby all new road projects and upgrades to existing roads will accommodate a designated cycle lane. I also plan to work with real life cyclists and transport planners and take a strategic approach to extending our fragmented and minimal existing cycleway network.
Auckland, with its beautiful vistas is a great place to cycle. My favourite ride in Auckland is to go from my place in Grafton, downtown, around the marina, under the harbour bridge, up through Herne Bay and then head back into the city along Jervois, Ponsonby and Karangahape roads.
I've witnessed two cyclists hit by buses on the newly laid out Symonds Street. We need to make our streets safer to encourage more people to get on their bike! - ENVIRONMENT
The United Nations Local Agenda 21 acknowledges that in order to solve some of the pressing problems facing our future we need to think global and act local. I hope that the new Auckland Council will follow in the footsteps of Waitakere Council and adopt a green print for guiding development in Auckland. We need more incentives for businesses, schools and households to act in a manner that is environmentally sustainable. - A VIBRANT DYNAMIC CITY
To attract and retain the people Auckland needs to grow economically we need a city that is exciting. Fortunately we are endowed with a wealth of talent. Our visual and performance artsists are world class and Auckland's Diwali, Pasifika, and Chinese New Year festivals all enhance Auckland's profile as an exciting cosmopolitan city. I will be working to make sure there are more opportunities to show off Auckland's talent.
- Get our community moving with better cycling and walking infrastructure, effective public transport including support for fast tracking the CBD rail loop
- Make the most of our beautiful coast by developing a quality waterfront, improving access to the water, opening up a public harbour walkway and ending the problem of effluent overflow into our waterways
- Advocate for residents and be the strong community voice working with the Auckland Council and the Council Controlled Organisations to ensure local decisions are made locally, by local people!
- Treasure our heritage buildings and encourage quality urban development.
- Get behind our creative entrepreneurs, the Learning Quarter, and commercial centres to create jobs and thriving local businesses
No issues on file for Shale Chambers.
- Transport - integrated public transport system, investment in walking and cycling infrastructure and fast tracking the CBD rail loop investment.
- Making the Super City governance structure work for Auckland through empowered Local Boards
- Sustainability central to decision making
- Access to the waterfront and ending pollution in the Waitemata harbour
- Protecting the unique character of our inner city suburbs through quality urban development
- Transport:
I walk or cycle around the city more than I drive so I notice the pedestrian and cycling environment, which can be radically improved such as providing decent paving on commuter pedestrian routes.
The CBD as an employment node, along with Newmarket and Ponsonby, will continue to grow, putting pressure on the very limited capacity of roads into these areas as commuters head to work from outside of these areas. - Sustainable Growth:
In my role as current community board Chair I have supported four different business associations.
I believe that Small and Medium Enterprises in local centres need to be supported. Small scale businesses make up the bulk of our local economies. A flourishing town centre supports flourishing local communities that surround the town centre. - Street-residents:
We in the ward are fortunate. For the majority of us we have access to good nutritional food and healthcare. For some in our ward who choose to make the streets their 'home', they do not have easy access to such services. (for many, the street *is* their home so it does not make sense to talk about homelessness).
I would like to change the way that we see the "homeless" around our streets. I would prefer to see them as un-official 'guardians' of the street. They make the street their home, so it makes sense to work with those who choose to live there; identify their strengths, and work with those strengths.
For example, many move around the inner city, watching the life of the street. If we can respect that skill and asset, then perhaps we can make streets safer for all as safe streets have 'many eyes' on them.
I will continue to support the work of Auckland City Mission in provision of food and health care services to the street-dwellers. - Heritage:
Much attention is being paid to 19C and early 20C heritage, both residential and housing. I will continue to advocate for protection of this valuable stock of heritage. This attention will bear fruit in the years to come.
I would like to start focussing on mid-20C heritage, as buildings from this era start to become at risk from developers' "visions". For example, the two fine buildings diagonally opposite each other on Queen St at Victoria St (The ANZ building and the old AMP building) are excellent examples of mid-20C commercial heritage. I will advocate for their protection in the upcoming District Plan work.
But Council's record on heritage has been pitiful. That's PITIFUL. It currently amounts to $50,000/year. I will advocate for more resourcing, and for a plan that sees 0.01% of rates income (in Auckland City with a rates income of $420m in 2009, so around $4.2m) be set aside for heritage protection. Additional relief would be sought for rates relief for identified heritage buildings such as the St James.
- Transport is the major issue for the Waitemata area, as the central city people and goods need to be able to move in and out the area. Shoppers need to be able to get to the shopping districts and people need to be able to get to major sporting and cultural events without getting stuck in traffic or spending a fortune on taxis or parking.
- The issue of representation in the new Council is immensely important. I am strongly in favor of Māori representation as long as it is elected and proportional to the enrollment of Māori on the Māori roll. I am not opposed to the idea of other ethnic groups seeking a similar type of representation. In general, I feel that the new wards aren't very representative, and the FPP voting system puts people in danger of being marginalized.
- I feel it is important that ratepayers get value for money and are not treated as a cash cow. I also feel that additional rates should be levied on un-productive investment properties which have been left unoccupied/untenanted ("land banking".) A major issue in the Waitemata area is rising housing costs and lack of space for the creative arts and small businesses. Lack of space and affordable housing both stifle the economy.
- Realistic Liquor Policys rather than ineffective knee jerk legislation. Policing issues are more effective than over regulation of one of the more economically important sectors of the cities econmy
- Keeping the "Local" in local government by ensuring that the community's voice is heard. Thsi can be achieved by supporting strong communities of interest.
- Responsible fiscal management such that every rate-payer dollar is well spent.
- Having a city that we can get around integrating:
- Public Transport that works and that we want to use.
- Private transport options.
- Cycling and walking. - Heritage preservation keeping the features we want retained while respecting private property rights and the need to enhance our city.
- Preserving and developing the icty by protecting the environment and encouraging quality development.
- Heritage Protection.
Our Neighbourhood contains the largest collection of villas in the world. They are always in danger from developers and special interest groups. Increasing the number of protected streets and ensuring new developments blend in and enhance our historic, low-rise area is of urgent and keen importance. Likewise the Victorian and Edwardian shops and other buildings. It only takes one or two inappropriate buildings to ruin a street. New buildings should be actively encouraged to match the current flavour, and owners of heritage buildings should be positively rewarded to maintain and beautify them. Google "Hanging Gardens of Grey Lynn" to see my idea for the Williamson Ave So-Hole. - Maintaining our Cultural Diversity.
One of the main things that makes our 'Hood unique is the fact that it's not homogenised "White Bread". Pacific Islanders, artists, low income earners all live in this very wealthy area and make it special. It's tricky because many long time residents are being offered stacks of cash for their charming old houses and you can't prevent them from selling, but the loss of every family is a loss to the whole neighbourhood. I will be seeking good ideas from anyone who'd like to give them to help counter this. - Trams.
My Dad told me a story about the day he stood up on Symonds St in 1956 or so and watched them rip the tram lines out. An old timer turned and said to him "They'll regret this". I think we already are. One tram can carry 100 passengers- that's two and a half buses worth, and all cleanly via the magic of electricity. As an area that longs to be "Green", shouldn't we make the the extension of the MOTAT line to Queens Wharf a top priority? See www.ourhood.co.nz for details, the planned route is on the "projects" page. - A full plan for the Western Springs- Meola Reef area at the western edge of our ward is long overdue.
This whole semi-rural strip is an important "lung" for the city and parts of it, Jaggers Bush, for example are descending into chaos.
Let's get those new elephants in too. We have a great chance to provide a poacher-free environment to up the numbers of Asian elephants. And like cows and sheep, they breed by themselves. One day the Zoo may make money by exporting elephants to other places.
This is the sort of thing I see our city doing- our bit for the planet. - Split Waitemata Ward.
Those who have been paying attention will see that most of my ideas and passions are west of SH 1. This is the area I live and work in and care about the most. If elected Waitemata Local Board member I will be bound to look after everyone in the area. Many residents east of SH 1 have informed me they are unhappy with the new ward and would like to have more self- governance, not locked to those west. By the 2013 election, I hope to have new boundaries drawn to split these radically different parts of the ward into two or even three depending on what CBD residents prefer, making both/all camps considerably happier.
No issues on file for Simon Johnston.
No issues on file for Julie Jones.
- Community Connectedness
- Community Advocacy
- Heritage Protection
- Fiscal responsibility and value for money
- Green parks and spaces
- Within the densely populated Waitemata Ward it's important to ensure that our streetscapes and public open spaces are as attractive, friendly and safe as possible. Our parks provide a refuge from inner city living and as the lungs of our city they need care and enhancement. Receation and sports facilities are a top priority - as they make a major contribution to visitor numbers, and to health and welfare.
- Poor housing also impacts on health and welfare. The city must do everything to improve housing standards and affordability. This starts with planning to prevent the development of shoebox sized apartments, to assistance with insulation programmes, to working with the government to fund or subsidise the building of new houses and apartments.
- The business of Auckland is business. The city must support business development, make the city tourist-friendly, promote its attributes and attractions, and support local business associations. It must work with transport agencies to ensure public transport is favoured, and the emphasis in city scapes is to make shopping precincts more friendly for people.
- The preservation of heritage aspects that provide so much of the character and charm of older Auckland is vital. Planning regulations that provide bonuses for retention rather than destruction should be used as a tool to make spaces that are appealing, yet fully functional.
- Great restaurants, bars and cafes bring fun and life to a city - but there's a time and place for everything. The city can contribute to the control of binge drinking and the abuse of alcohol by banning consumption in city streets This should impact on crime, safety, driving offences, noise and litter especially broken glass.
No issues on file for Allan Matson.
No issues on file for Greg Moyle.
- Community. Strengthening and protecting our vibrant communities is key to Auckland's success. Our people and communities are our greatest strength.
- Leadership. Leading positively and effectively to provide a confident direction to our city. Leadership begins by listening and engaging with our people.
- Affordability and Prosperity. Creating an affordable region to live and work in, while welcoming progress to our world-class city.
- Transport. Put simply, it is about making it easier to get around our great city.
- Environment. We need to preserve and enchance our Auckland region’s environment, as well as ensuring good design throughout our urban environment.
- 1. Transport - integrated public transport system, fast tracking the CBD rail loop and rail to Airport, supporting walking and cycling infrastructure especially for CBD
- Protecting the unique character of our inner city suburbs through quality urban development. Local Body input to the Auckland spatial plan is crucial
- . Making the Super City governance structure work for Auckland through empowered Local Boards
- Access to the waterfront and ending pollution in the Waitemata harbour
- Sustainability central to decision making
- People in communities.
Recognise and assist communities of place, play, hobbies, age, ethnicity, religion, and anything else people have in common.
The city can be a very lonely place, or it can be alive and exciting.
People connecting well with other people is what makes a place good to live, work, and play. - Reliable, easy to use public transport.
While you can mostly get a bus in rush hour in Auckland, they are notoriously unreliable at other times.
I have given up getting a bus into the city for meetings, as they are so often late - it is more reliable, and sometimes faster. to walk. For some reason, the bus home does mostly seem to be there, when the time is not so important.
Ever tried to get a bus in the rain?
Our bus stops (AdShell) are designed for display of advertisements in the streets, with scant attention to their supposedly major function of keeping passengers dry and out of the wind while waiting. This is a matter of urgency - it rains in Auckland. A lot. - Value our history.
Our forefathers left us some beautiful buildings and suburbs, and it is up to us to look after them, adapting them to our current use (kitchens and bathrooms have changed!). This includes single buildings, and streetscapes such as the Herne Bay avenues, where I live. - Value our place.
Auckland's physical position is probably the best in the world, with two fabulous harbours and the Gulf.
This should be available for all to use, with coastal walkways, good access to the harbour for small boats, clean rainwater runoff going into the harbours.
No high buildings on the waterfront blocking it for others.
Site coverage from new buildings which allows rain to enter the soil.
Encourage green roofs and walls - Encourage working from home.
With fast reliable broadband, more people can work from home.
This relieves the demand during rush hour, and enlivens local communities.
Home Occupation rules would need to change so more people can work from residential properties.
No issues on file for Paul Stephenson.
No issues on file for Hinurewa Te Hau.
- Maintain our community character, identity and voice
- Protect the heritage buildings in the CBD. Make the CBD streets more pedestrian friendly; not like onramps to motorways and develope small green spaces and community facilities for the increasing number of residents in the CBD
- Maintain all community facilities and parks. Continue the environmental protection of the Board by a continual renewal of the old drainage system but at the same time keeping an eye on costs so that money is not overspent increasing rates.
- I bring a unique set of skills and new blood to the Waitemata Local Board. I will provide Town Planning and Social Planning skills, buiness skills and Legal skills, plus a background of being on the Grey Lynn/Westmere Community Committee previously. I will also encourage informed, concise and objective decision making within the Board.
- I will encourage open and transparent governance.
- All nominees will tell you the same thing: Transport, Rates, Public Spaces, Waterfront, Amenities, Wastewater, Leaky homes etc etc. Although I believe these to be relevant, I will not be joining the clones in adopting these generic policies. The main issue I will be tackling is the lack of fun in our city, great cities around the world have a vibe and a culture that defines them and makes them special. Auckland does not have this. I will be focussing all my attention on helping to create a more exciting, more inclusive city with a world class culture. Jedi’s believe in one force that binds us all, I want to bring this philosophy to Aucklanders.
Media: Call Jedi Craigs Campaign Manager on 022 6739206 or email votejedicraig@gmail.com
- Zero Sewage in the Hauraki Gulf
- Better Public Transport for Auckland
- Strong Local Boards and Communities
- Protecting Auckland's Assets
- Creating a vibrant inner-city
No issues on file for Margaret Voyce.
