Dreams, faith and potential
William Flesher, 25, lives in Papatoetoe and is the NZ First Candidate for Manukau East.
In the lead up to the general election, we go behind the billboards and party colours to give you a ‘first person’ insight into the aspiring candidates. We are publishing their images in black and white so you can get to see them as people not just as politicians and their political brands.
Getting candid: How long have you lived here and where are you originally from?
I have only recently moved to Papatoetoe temporarily, originally moving from tara whilst my family home is under huge renovations.
Give me three words that come to mind when I say ‘South Auckland’?
Potential, heart, possibility.
Where’s the best place to buy dinner in your electorate?
Sam Woos is one of the best family friendly restaurants to visit within the Manukau East if you like Vietnamese food.
What’s one piece of wisdom you’d like to pass on to others, particularly young people?
To dream big dreams. Aspire for greatness despite your adversaries and struggles. It has been tough and I haven’t achieved half of the things I aspire to do but never give up and persevere. I was taught at a young age to dream big dreams, to reach for the stars. This coupled with my faith has given me the strength to aspire toward making a difference in the O¯ lives of my family, my community and within society.
What’s one trial or struggle that you’ve overcome?
One struggle I overcome everyday is fear. Fear has the capacity to compel you to do great or sink under its weight. There is the fear that you’re not doing the right thing, the fear that no one else will agree with you, the fear that you’ll fail. Everyday I must remind myself that I have a God given purpose to impact the world around me. Sometimes I fall, but most of the time I succeed. I am learning to allow my failures to teach me and my successes to open more doors for greater potential.
Who is the Kiwi you admire most - and why?
I admire my mother, Lavetia Flesher. She is a source of strength and love that I believe displays sacrifice and selflessness. Raising her three sons, and daughter while running our home, cooking, cleaning, working and putting others first.
When I’ve got a free few hours I like to …
Spend time meditating on scripture and prayer. This is an incredibly vital source of confidence and hope.
Tell us what your party’s policies will do for people in this community
There is no other time unlike the present that requires immediate action, intervention and sound policy to address the issues facing our communities, especially in South Auckland. New Zealanders are struggling to make ends meet, access vital services, succeed and provide for their families.
Furthermore, New Zealand has one of the highest and growing rates of immigration in the OECD. We have huge numbers of homelessness, decreasing productivity, slow rising wages whilst the cost of living rises.
New Zealand First provide policy that combats these issues and puts New Zealand and New Zealanders as priority. This doesn’t matter if you were born here or born in another country. If you are New Zealander, New Zealand First makes you a priority.
New Zealand First will put New Zealanders at the front of the job queue, provide sound housing policy that enables Kiwis to afford and buy a home, increase our frontline police to combat crime, increase the minimum wage to $20 an hour by providing tax packages for businesses, invest in education to decrease the financial burden of study and the list goes on.