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 determining ways Council can contribute.
- Work with Taranaki Regional Council to improve public transport, to better serve young people, those who for various reasons can’t drive, and those who simply want more transport choices.
- Make values-based decisions about spending, which includes making sure that investments benefit all people, rather than a select few.
What have I done to demonstrate this?
- Posting regularly via social media and recording monthly videos outlining Council business and meetings.
- Working with other Councillors to pilot new methods of community engagement, conducting small group meetings to listen to feedback
- Advocated against central government mandate to increase speed limits around schools
- Spearheaded the establishment of a Joint Regional Public Transport Committee, and investment in a high-frequency cross-town bus route.
- Advocated for better regulation of vaping, especially for young people
- Served on the Community Funding Investment Committee, including as Chair – disbursing over $1 million in council funds to community groups and organisations
- Housing – led $12m investment in Housing for the Elderly, increasing the number of units for the first time in over 40 years; facilitated Council’s role in finding long-term solutions for homelessness; collaborated with Council staff and other stakeholders to increase housing availability and affordability, Taranaki wide.
- Ensured pool fees did not increase for Community Service Card holders in 2021, worked with Community Board members to reduce Community Pool fees in 2024.
- Led the introduction of a Youth Citizens Award
- Working with iwi and hapū – played a key role in acquiring land for conservation initiative in Kōhanga Moa/Inglewood (supported by Pukerangiora Hapū), supported introduction of a Māori Ward, development of CBD Strategy in partnership with Ngati Te Whiti Hapū, protection of Hauranga Pā in Oakura, supported call to stand against seabed mining.
Environment
Protect our environment from the pressures of climate and waste, and facilitate regeneration for our children and grandchildren.
- 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.
- Ensure that we take more climate action, including both reducing emissions and making our district more resilient to climate events
- Create policies and infrastructure that support people to reduce household and transport emissions
- Establish transport infrastructure and services that give us more low emissions choices in how we get around.
- Regenerate native landscapes to increase resilience and support biodiversity.
What have I done to demonstrate this?
- Accelerated the expansion of the district’s Zero Waste Hub, The Junction, allowing more waste to be diverted from landfill and to reduce waste creation
- Championed changes in Council policy to build climate considerations into every business case and report to Council, including risk assessments. This will enable Council to access discounted ‘green’ lending.
- Spearheaded the establishment of a Joint Regional Public Transport Committee, and investment in a high-frequency cross-town bus route.
- Supported the 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.
- Instigated investigation of options for increasing the installation of water tanks, which is underway.
Economy
Achieve balanced investment within realistic parameters, invest in resilient infrastructure, build a future-ready, innovative economy.
- 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 to demonstrate this?
- Ensured that supporting local businesses is a priority in Council's refreshed procurement approach
- Supported increased internship opportunities within Council.
- Supported investment to bring the CBD Strategy off the page and into action, future proofing the New Plymouth CBD.
- Helped to facilitate review of the Future Development Strategy and Proposed District Plan to allow businesses and developers to achieve outcomes more easily, as well as support required housing growth
- Supported investment in Waitara to allow for sustainable growth and prosperity
- 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.
- Supported investment in Venture Taranaki in their work to transition our economy, particularly the Branching Out programme which aims to bolster emerging opportunities in the food and fibre sector.
- Advocated for Council support of Te Matatini
