What I Will Work For
Community
Work in partnership to ensure each person in our community is supported, especially our most vulnerable, and that Council doesn’t just consult, but connects with all of us, especially youth and tangata whenua.
- Work with iwi and hapū to ensure that the Council is being a true Treaty partner
- Connect better with the community through being visible, present, and communicating clearly about issues and plans.
- Ensure that young people have a say in our future and can see the relevance of Council to their lives.
- Help to ensure that people have adequate housing, through facilitating conversations across sectors and investigating ways Council can assist.
- Make values-based decisions about spending, which includes making sure that investments benefit all people, rather than a select few.
What have I done in my first term to demonstrate this?
- Posting regularly via social media and recording monthly videos outlining Council business and meetings.
- Serve as the Chair of Community Funding Investment Committee – disbursing over $1 million in council funds to community groups and organisations
- Housing – raising awareness of housing issues and collaborating with Council staff to facilitate increase in housing availability and affordability, Taranaki wide
- Ensured pool fees did not increase for Community Service Card holders
- Working with iwi and hapū – served on Te Rewa Rewa Working Party, played a key role in acquiring land for conservation initiative in Kōhanga Moa/Inglewood (supported by Pukerangiora Hapū), supported introduction of a Māori Ward, supported development of CBD Strategy in partnership with Ngati Te Whiti Hapū, supported protection of Hauranga Pā in Oakura
Environment
Protect our environment from the pressures of climate change and waste, and facilitate regeneration for our children and grandchildren.
- Ensure that we take more climate action:
- Make climate change the lens through which we make each decision
- Create policies and infrastructure that support people to reduce household and transport emissions
- Support our farmers to transform their practices to put less pressure on the environment.
- Continue New Plymouth’s commitment to zero waste and accelerate progress; provide more options for businesses to reduce waste, and more education about recycling and reduction of household waste.
What have I done in my first term to demonstrate this?
- Championed the change in Council policy and practice to ensure climate considerations are built into every business case and report to Council
- Led the inclusion of climate change impacts in the Council’s risk register
- Accelerated the expansion of the district’s Zero Waste Hub, The Junction, within the long-term plan allowing more waste to be diverted from landfill and to reduce waste creation
- Led increase of operational funding for climate action by $450K over 3 years
- Supported increasing EVs in Council fleet, and Planting our Place initiative which aims to plant 34Ha of natives over 20 years.
- Championed the purchase of land in Kōhanga Moa Inglewood for a conservation initiative and restoration of wetlands.
- Led the permanent establishment of a Sustainable Homes Adviser position, who offers free advice to residents about how to make their home more sustainable
- Supported increased investment in water infrastructure, to reduce impact on environment
Economy
Respond to inflationary pressures while transitioning to an innovative, inclusive, low emissions economy, and making sure that no one is left behind.
- Create infrastructure and a culture for innovative people and businesses to flourish.
- Drive more training and internship opportunities for young people.
- Collaborate effectively with businesses to create jobs and investment opportunities.
- Promote our region nationally to attract and retain talent.
What have I done in my first term to demonstrate this?
- Supported policy for local procurement – ensuring local trades were given preference for Council contracts
- Supported Covid “Get Us Back on Our Feet” initiatives, including increased funding to Venture Taranaki for targeted business support, reduced fees, and removing rates penalties.
- Supported increased internship opportunities within Council including the Infrastructure Park in partnership with WITT, Building Bridges programme within Council, and Talent Pipeline.
- Supported underwrite of WOMAD
- Played key role in securing land purchase in Kōhanga Moa Inglewood for a conservation initiative, which will also provide employment and increase tourism.
