I love our special part of the world. Tāmaki Makaurau is a place with a unique and valuable story, with such enormous promise. Founded on a remarkable gift between cultures; blessed with a stunning natural setting; small enough to fix, big enough to matter.
I know we can build a thriving, inclusive, and beautifully green city on an enhanced Hauraki Gulf. The greatest small city on the globe, in greater balance with the natural world – what’s stopping us? Why shouldn’t that be our aim?
I am a lifelong Aucklander, I am Tangata Tiriti and see the value to everyone here in honouring this our founding document.
I am running in this election because I care passionately about our future, I have the experience in governance, the arts, and business, necessary to make a difference in council. The Jewel in the crown of the region is the Hauraki Gulf and its many diverse islands.
Among these Aotea/Great Barrier is particularly remarkable, so valuable for its low level of development and diversity of ecosystems. An extraordinary place, with extraordinary people.
Getting the balance right in supporting those who call it home to live full healthy lives while maintaining, and indeed enhancing, everything that makes the island group special is the challenge. It is a microcosm for our entire nation: exquisite apart.
There are also great opportunities, especially the leadership that that the island can provide in off-grid self-sufficiency for the rest of the region. Supporting islanders to increase the quality of their solar and battery systems to 100% self-sufficiency is a great aim.
Aotea is already an off-grid exemplar, but there is still more to be done. The technology is available now, for individual buildings, community micro-grids, and vehicles to no longer need expensive and polluting imported fossil fuels- the electric island!
Greater food resiliency with enhanced farm and ocean supply of beautiful local produce is another opportunity. As is improving waste systems, especially in busier areas.
The island is not without core infrastructure. With my background as a director of Waka Kotahi/NZTA I understand how vital yet vulnerable rural roads are, and the huge value in maintaining them well. In particular and upgrading stormwater systems, especially culverts, in order to prevent isolating and expensive washouts, in increasingly intense weather events.
Perhaps the biggest challenge is balancing the opportunities offered by tourism with all that is great about these motu and surrounding seas. Tourism must give more than it takes. Where that balance sits is for locals to decide.
As your councillor I will work with the Local Board, Manu Whenua, DOC, and all residents, to advocate on your behalf at city hall. In particular, if recommended, I will champion the introduction of a visitor levy. As this is a mechanism that can both regulate the volume of tourists, and deliver funds for vital community needs.
There are no doubt plenty of opportunities that a levy (like the one in effect at Rakiura/Stewart Island) could fund.
Ngā mihi nui
Patrick Reynolds
