On the 1st of November a new form of Auckland city comes into existance. 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
Andy, what's your position on Waiheke becoming a Biosphere reserve?
I fully support the concept and applaud the work that Colin and other have done. There will be a lot more investigation about what this will mean for the island's future and how this will connect with the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park Act which already provides a degress of protection for the Gulf Island. I would need to spend much more time to become familiar with what this would mean for the future and I am looking forward to learning more as time goes on. If I am on the Board I will support this investigation and support Colin's efforts to present the concept to the Waiheke Public. If the community then wishes to pursue this to the application stage after due consideration then I will do my utmost to make it happen.
Biosphere reserves are meant to demonstrate a balanced relationship between man and nature (e.g. encourage sustainable development). I am an advocate for sustainable development which entails developing in ways that do not contribute to a decline in the environment's ability to provide for our future needs. Most industries are quite capable of achieving this with care and forethought.
There is a very real danger of this becoming a cause célèbre, diverting attention away from other more pressing issues at this time, particularly the need for the new board to work hard to gain as much autonomy and self determination during the new establishment phase of the Super City Council.
A very positive outcome from developing the UNESCO Biosphere concept would be raising public understanding and a vision of how we we want to see the future for our island. Then when through this process we have reached an agreed vision of the way forward for preserving what is special about our island we can have an influence over the legislative framework and tools that are needed to actually protect landscapes and special features. We would then be able to measure what is happening to feature on the island and say with some certainty that this is not within the vision and that therefore the rules are not providing the protection that is needed and must be changed. Starting small with the island the reserve could be extended to the entire Gulf.
Phew, I'm glad I asked the question. No tick for you!
it seems Jafa that you might not have anyone left to vote for ...
Countrymike, I don't need to have 5 names to tick, but there will certainly be more than that to choose from. There are eniough sensible people standing for my tick.
Hello Jafa. I would be interested to know what you think about the Unesco biosphere proposal. You appear to have some strongly held views about it. Can you tell me please what you know. I would appreciate your comments.
thank you
Andy
Thanks Andy,
I'm not against UNESCO Biosphere Reserves as such, anything but. But I do not believe Waiheke falls within the objectives established by the convention on biological diversity. There are any number of Acts that provide for the protection of Waiheke's environment. I want our local board to work on more achievable day to day problems than something I see as unachievable.
But hey, I'm the one who's asking the questions of candidates!
Jafa
I think that perhaps you did not read one paragraph of my answer to your question.
"There is a very real danger of this becoming a cause célèbre, diverting attention away from other more pressing issues at this time, particularly the need for the new board to work hard to gain as much autonomy and self determination during the new establishment phase of the Super City Council."
However, there are those whom i have a great deal of respect for that assert that the proposal will serve to focus debate on the future of Waiheke and assist us to gain control of our own destiny again and this will then serve to achieve your objective of gaining the Board and the people of Waiheke the power to make decision on the day to day problems instead of being at the mercy of Auckland decision makers. I also think that it is vital that we have a very thorough public debate about the appropriateness of pursuing the biosphere proposal before the Board considers recommending it to Parliament.
Thanks Andy. Good response.
Enjoyed your performance last Thursday!
Hi Andy
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)