A STRONG VOICE FOR COMMUNITY

“The regional council is a voice for Northland and Northlanders, and our success lies in working together. Northlanders have the opportunity to elect leaders who can engage the community and communicate Northland’s needs, so council can deliver efficient and sustainable results.”
Malcom Nicolson - CEO, Northland Regional Council (NRC)
Excerpt from the Pre-election Report 2022
 
I am a strong voice for community. My actions reflect this. Examples include initiating Focus Paihia, leading the Far North District Councils ‘Our Voices, Our Vision’ kaupapa in 2015 (now a foundation of FN2100) and my recent piece of mahi on behalf of the Northland Conservation Board, Arohatia te Taiao.  I actively promote and seek community engagement, as I recognise this is where our power lies.

In seeking your vote for NRC, I promise to uphold my commitment to engaging with Northlanders.  This is critical if we are to address some of the many challenges facing the region moving forward.

I also promise to be a ‘loud’ advocate for Northland, my home for over 40 years.  I truly believe that we can lead the way in how we look after our people, our place.
 
I have highlighted five key areas of focus, noting that there are other activities that require attention, such as safe and effective transport networks and the local government reforms.
 

1. Becoming pest free! A focus on pest free can bring many benefits.  These include the obvious - a thriving natural environment (including protecting our precious biodiversity, which is currently being eroded).  Employment and the opportunity to reconnect with the land is another huge advantage. If people truly value the whenua they are more likely to look after it. 
2. Community-led, government-enabled. No doubt about it, localism is the way forward. In a nutshell this means that decisions that impact on communities are made at community level.  The current ‘one size fits all’ policy approach is often detrimental to smaller, diverse regions. It also encourages meaningful and respected partnerships that are collaborative and open to lead and innovate. 
3. Water quality improvement. The government introduced ‘Essential Freshwater’ in 2020. At the heart is the concept of Te Mana o te Wai, recognising the health and well-being of waterbodies and freshwater ecosystems must now take priority over all other concerns. This is big and exciting, noting it will have challenges. It requires a rethink in how we act and do. 
4. A resilient and thriving local economy, in balance with our environment. I am a member of the Te Ōhanga Rautaki Whānui o Te Tai Tokerau - a Regional Economic Development Strategy Steering Group, which has recently commenced.  Its aim includes tackling the major issues affecting Northland such as equity, inclusivity, productivity, high-value job creation and climate change action. With an intergenerational approach, I see this as an important platform for paving a way forward that makes a genuine difference on the ground for our people. 
5. NRC has recently released Ngā Taumata o te Moana: our Strategy for tackling climate change. ‘The climate crisis is our generation’s biggest challenge, and this decade is crucial – we must respond by transforming how our society and economy operate. With this strategy, we acknowledge the urgent need for change, and the vital role council plays in addressing climate change to protect current and future generations.’ Recognising this is a global challenge, once again I enforce the importance of working with local communities to identify actions that will help mitigate the ongoing impacts.

The Arohatia te Taiao (loving our natural environment) initiative has provided a rich platform for Northland leaders, communities and individuals to move forward. An extract from the website (written by myself):
 'Suggested local solutions and approaches, as shared by our local communities, offer practical ways to mitigate the many challenges we are facing. The findings highlight a perceived disconnect. In that much of humanity see Papatūānuku as a resource, rather than a living breathing entity. Our siloed activity in how we interact does not help, in that there is not one overarching approach, rather it is divvied up (think public, private, local government, central government). Findings show this needs to be remedied.
 
Papatūānuku is our home. It is vitally important that te Taiao is at the centre of our decision making and not an afterthought. Humanity’s survival depends on it. By reconnecting and treating her with respect and aroha, we not only give hope to a more flourishing environment but also a healthier and happier humanity.'

I am committed to serving Northland and Northlanders.  My sound experience and understanding of local and central government, along with a desire to see a more hope filled future drive me to stand and make a difference. I humbly ask for your vote. Nga mihi.