Politician looks local first

An experienced politician says local people should be the focus, regardless of the level of politics.

Former National MP Brian Neeson served from 1990 to 2002 as local MP for different west Auckland electorates, before returning to political life in 2010 when he was elected to the Upper Harbour Local Board, a position he still holds.

Neeson said MPs are part of a team charged with looking at the big picture, and need to bring the national policies back to their electorate. However, he said he always liked to take note of what his constituents were feeding back to him.

‘‘Smaller voices are the ones that need to be listened to,’’ Neeson said.

As a local board member, it is equally important to be listening to the community, Neeson said.

‘‘A lot of local body politicians are pushing different barrows to what the ratepayer wants,’’ Neeson said.

‘‘We get elected not hired. Some of the younger board members are learning the difference between politicians and bureaucracy. For anyone who gets elected the number one job is to look after the largest group that got you elected.’’

Massey University Associate Professor Grant Duncan encourages approaching local representatives. ‘‘If people do have problems, they should avail themselves of local board members and local MPs, because they are there to help.’’

Brian Neeson has spent time in parliament and on the local board.