On the 1st of November a new form of Auckland city comes into existence. Before then you'll have the chance to vote for a mayor, a councillor and a new community board. There are 18 candidates standing for 5 positions on the Waiheke Community Board.
In this first of two opportunities to hear from the candidates Waiheke radio has given each of them two minutes to answer the question, "Why should Waiheke people vote for you?"
After you've listened to the statements we encourage you to make comment and ask questions. Later in the election process we will ask each candidate back on-air for an interview which will include your questions. We look forward to your input.
UPDATE: We have now conducted an interview with this candidate incorporating some of the community feedback and questions. Take a listen
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Island Life
Marijke, what's your position on Waiheke becoming a Biosphere reserve?
I am interested in what being a Biosphere Reserve would mean for Waiheke. Members of our community have put a lot of work into presenting the idea for consideration. I attended the powhiri at the Marae this morning and have read the document prepared by Colin Beardon to get an overview. There is clealy a significant amount of work that will need to be done and debated in the community before we can make any judgement. My concern is that if we let this debate dominate the role and function of the Local Board then it will miss opportunities to influence and assert itself in the fledging supercity structure.
My initial observation is that many of the existing biosphere reserves around the world are Island's. In my experience, Islands often share simular characteristics and face simular challenges. I believe there will be some merit in learning from the experience of other Islands and sharing best practice.
If I am elected to Local Board I am prepared to listen to the work carried out by the Biosphere Reserve team. However, I do not accept that it is the Local Board's role to drive the process and do the leg work.
What is Absolutely Waiheke? what does it represent and why only three people using the term?
What do you have in common with Allen Davies?
There are a large number of candidates in this election. My decision to use the slogan 'Absolutely Waiheke' in my campaign was to demonstrate an ability and willingnes to work with others, who may represent a different cross section of Waiheke. I believe that many views on Waiheke are valid and it is the quality of the debate and the maturity of the people who represent them that will ensure collectively we get the best for Waiheke.
Absolutely Waiheke is not a political party and all candidates are independent. What I have in common with Allen Davies is that we have both demonstrated that we respect each others legitimacy to stand as Waiheke Local Board candidates. I respect that Allen has a contribution to make particularly in terms of representing issues facing the older generation. Some of these issues are very different from the issues facing young families which I am more connected to.
Hi Marijke
I'm interested in knowing more about the candidates 'collective' view on some of the 'things' that help people work effectively together, so have posted the same 3 questions to all candidates
cheers - dougal
1. What do you see as being the 3-4 key ‘things/areas’ the new board should focus on or understand within the first 90 days of being elected?
2. What do you believe are the 3-5 key capabilities/skills the new board need to have/develop in order to work effectively
3. What would be your answer to the question “WHY does the community board exist?” (WHY it’s meant to be doing whatever it does)
Hi Dougal,
The first 90 days of the New Auckland Council will be very interesting. As election results are finalised there will be important negotiations going on amongst Auckland Councillors as to who should get what portfolios and who will serve on which committee. I imagine that there will be some initiatives and directives from the Auckland Council in terms of how the Local Board should operate and what delegations it will have. Who we get as Mayor will probably influence this process. It would be useful for the Waiheke Local Board to have its ear to the ground so as not to miss a trick.
I think that the Waiheke Local Board should work with the directives and intiatives to develop its own set of procedures and protocols that will work for Waiheke. We need to be sure that the 'Local Board model' proposed by the Auckland Council will work for the Waiheke and look for opportunities to adapt and tailor it more to our needs as an Island. We will need to emphasize that Waiheke has different needs and challenges than suburbs of Auckland and that the working and function of the Waiheke Local Board should reflect this.
Part of the focus in the first 90 days will also be getting to know other members elected onto the Waiheke Local Board. Getting to know their strengths and also their weaknesses. I would like to think that we could build a sense of teamwork and collaboration and focus on the task which is to deliver strong local governance for Waiheke.
More specifically my understanding of the purpose of the Local Board is to do two things:
1. To bring a strong local dimension to local government decision making, to ensure that services are delivered in a way that works for the community it serves.
2. To ensure the unelected decision makers in Council are made accountable for their actions.
I hope you find these comments helpful in terms of whether you think I would be a valuable member of the Waiheke Local Board.
Marijke Ransom
Hi Dougal,
The first 90 days of the New Auckland Council will be very interesting. As election results are finalised there will be important negotiations going on amongst Auckland Councillors as to who should get what portfolios and who will serve on which committee. I imagine that there will be some initiatives and directives from the Auckland Council in terms of how the Local Board should operate and what delegations it will have. Who we get as Mayor will probably influence this process. It would be useful for the Waiheke Local Board to have its ear to the ground so as not to miss a trick.
I think that the Waiheke Local Board should work with the directives and intiatives to develop its own set of procedures and protocols that will work for Waiheke. We need to be sure that the 'Local Board model' proposed by the Auckland Council will work for the Waiheke and look for opportunities to adapt and tailor it more to our needs as an Island. We will need to emphasize that Waiheke has different needs and challenges than suburbs of Auckland and that the working and function of the Waiheke Local Board should reflect this.
Part of the focus in the first 90 days will also be getting to know other members elected onto the Waiheke Local Board. Getting to know their strengths and also their weaknesses. I would like to think that we could build a sense of teamwork and collaboration and focus on the task which is to deliver strong local governance for Waiheke.
More specifically my understanding of the purpose of the Local Board is to do two things:
1. To bring a strong local dimension to local government decision making, to ensure that services are delivered in a way that works for the community it serves.
2. To ensure the unelected decision makers in Council are made accountable for their actions.
I hope you find these comments helpful in terms of whether you think I would be a valuable member of the Waiheke Local Board.
Marijke Ransom
Hi Marijke,
You may want to check this out: http://bit.ly/ddPqfD
Then leave a comment here, sharing your thoughts on it.
All the best,
James