Unanimous support
A new chairman has been appointed to the Maungakiekie-Tamaki Local Board.
Simon Randall was unanimously voted into the the top role at a meeting last week.
Inaugural chairwoman Leila Boyle chose to stand down for family reasons but will remain a member of the board.
Mr Randell is a former high school science teacher.
He was first elected to the Maungakiekie Community Board in 2007 before joining the Maungakiekie-Tamaki Local Board on its creation in November 2010.
The 30-year-old Onehunga man says his key priorities will be ensuring the smooth delivery of the Onehunga Foreshore Restoration Project and the Onehunga Mall upgrade, as well as preparing the suburb for growth that will come with the Auckland Council’s Unitary Plan.
Once finalised the plan will be the rule book that shapes the way Auckland grows, setting out what can be built and where.
Improving community facilities and encouraging better community engagement are also at the top of Mr Randall’s list.
‘‘There are many things happening in our area that will affect the lives of our communities,’’ Mr Randall says.
‘‘We need to ensure the community is both well engaged and informed.
‘‘I want to see more people actively involved in what the local board is doing so they can be a part of our work.’’
Mr Randall is the youngest chairperson of Auckland’s 21 local boards.
Ms Boyle was previously the youngest.