Kia ora to the residents of Aotea/ Great Barrier Island – the most unique of all the communities that sit within the diverse region that the Auckland Council serves.
I’m Genevieve Sage, the current Chair of the Waitematā Local Board. I’m standing for the role of ward Councillor for the Waitematā and Gulf ward because we need a new breed of Councillors – with drive and energy, the commercial and financial acumen to make wise decisions about complex multi-billion dollar issues – and who have an aspirational vision for Auckland as one of the world’s great cities. I’ve proven that I have all of these attributes and I want to use them to make a positive difference.
We can all see Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland falling rapidly behind other cities in the Asia Pacific region but it doesn’t have to be this way. A key contributing factor is the lack of depth around the Council table – too many lifers and loafers whose contributions are to grumble and grandstand, rather than working constructively with the Mayor and other Councillors to help our region achieve its potential. We need to embrace change, not oppose it.
We need Councillors with clearly enunciated policies. Please, before you vote, take a few minutes to have a look at my policies at www.genevievesage.nz. You’ll also find links to my “kitchen podcasts” where you can hear more about me, why I’m standing and how you can contact me.
My key policies (with a regional focus) are:
- Improving core infrastructure – 2nd harbour crossing locked in before it’s too late; better stormwater and wastewater management; planning for greater climate resilience; commonsense transition to public transport.
- A year-round calendar of major events in Auckland (and the infrastructure to host these) to drive economic growth.
- Relocating the port’s freight and container operations out of the central city (a 25 year project)
- Fiscal responsibility – spending ratepayers’ money wisely
- Civic aesthetics – looking after our region with a sense of pride.
Some of these policies will have a direct application to Great Barrier, while others will have an indirect impact by creating a more prosperous region and a better-funded Council.
For Great Barrier and Waiheke Islands specifically, I want to see:
- Either a seat at Council, or better-funded Local Boards with greater decision-making powers. The current governance model isn’t serving the islands well and it needs to change. The islands each have their own character and needs and they can’t be shoe-horned into solutions that are designed for heavily built up mainland environments and communities.
- Council investing in the restoration of the marine environment in the Hauraki Gulf and in our harbours. These are amongst our greatest assets, so this is a no brainer
- Subsidised ferry access
- Putting our Gulf Islands front and centre in the picture which we paint for the world – of a world class, diverse region to live, work, visit and invest.
It’s time for a change!
