Intends to make a difference

Owen Emery is standing for the Kaikohe-Hokianga Ward, along with Sally Macauley, John Vujcich and Babe Kapa.

Having moved to Ohaeawai 18 months ago and continued to grow to love and enjoy the area and people, I have decided to extend my participation in the community beyond being a committee member on the Ohaeawai Residents Association by seeking to become a councillor Far North District Kaikohe- Hokianga ward. I want to make a difference. I believe the experience brought from operating my own business in freight forwarding and customs brokerage for the past 12 years, which allows interaction with many different types of businesses both in New Zealand and internationally, will allow my contributions to the local governance process to extend beyond the same old, same old, always done it this way, repetition many voters witness.

Operating my own business provides a very clear understanding of the work required to earn a dollar and the need to review what that is spent on.

It also necessary to be up to date with technology and what is happening outside our own circle.

I want to bring back pride to the north.

Our history is amazing and our forefathers achievements have forged this country’s history in government, industry and sport.

I also want to investigate ‘‘legup’’ programmes via council and all community groups to encourage and promote education.

Other things I would do include:

Ensure community board members have their voices heard.

To ensure maximum benefit is achieved with the increasing numbers of tourists to the Far North.

Council expenditure is rigorously compared monitored for value, with the objective to maximise the benefit to ratepayers; active benchmarking processes So why tick for me? To make a difference.

Owen Emery.