Kia ora e te whanau,
I am standing for the New Plymouth District Council (NPDC) Maori ward, Te Purutanga Mauri Pumanawa. I know councils. I was a member of the NPDC's original Iwi Liaison Committee and am a current member of the South Taranaki District Council Iwi Liaison Committee and the Taranaki Regional Council Policy and Planning Committee.
I get stuff done. I fought to establish this Maori ward as well as the Tangata Whenua and Manaaki Urupa grants and flying the tino rangatiratanga flag at the NPDC office. And I negotiated the largest Treaty settlement in Taranaki for Te Atiawa.
I'm a strong advocate. The return to hapu of Maori reserve land held by council and a fair share of the council cake will be my focus. I ask for your support and your vote.
Want to know more? Google me. Mauri ora!
Yes
I would reduce council borrowing from $400m which costs ratepayers $16m per year in interest payments. The Perpetual Investment Fund (PIF) is returning less than it was 15 years ago. It needs a close examination.
Yes
Council should partner with iwi, who are the economic powerhouse of the district. Maori have $2.5b in assets and contribute $millions to the economic growth of the district, as well as being ratepayers.
Yes
Central government policies created the rough sleeping problem. Central government should fix the problem, not New Plymouth ratepayers.
Yes
A council-controlled organisation will focus on its key task, which is delivering clean, fresh water and removing wastewater. No politics involved.
Yes
Adopt solar and wind energy as the primary source for the electrification of the district and partner with service providers to establish an implementation plan and implement.
Yes
Because sport and recreation is an integral part of any reputable community. However, under the present economic climate, I would hold off funding any further developments until the economy improves.
No
I agree with cycle lanes, but the Tim Tams along Devon Street West are a terrible idea. Unfortunately, to remove them will cost more ratepayer dollars, so we're stuck with them for now.
Keep
Maori make up 20% of the district's population, contribute $millions to the local economy, and are ratepayers. Maori wards provide the same democratic process as other wards. Without them, it's taxation without representation. No stress. Vote yes.
We saw the $23.7m financial gain on the heels of Te Matatini 2025. Partner with iwi to attract more cultural events here from around the Pacific region.
Financial prudence because we all pay rates. Rangatahi wellbeing because they are the district's future.
