MEET THE MAYORAL CANDIDATES

Transmission Gully, massive housing developments, concerns about Porirua’s harbour and beaches: Voters in Porirua City have plenty to sink their teeth into in upcoming council elections. As part of our election coverage, we’re profiling the city’s mayoral candidates. Each person was asked to provide a statement on why they are standing, and their views on the big issues facing Porirua City.

Anita Baker, 58, projects manager; independent.

‘‘It is time for a change in the leadership of council and I am standing for mayor to lead an invigorated team that will make real progress on restoring our harbour; improve the quality of our basic infrastructure; and propose an annual budget that finds internal cost savings to minimise rates increases.

‘‘Porirua City needs a mayor who is actively committed to Porirua and with nine years of experience as a councillor, three years as chair of the city delivery committee and a good mix of private sector and community involvement, I have the necessary background to step up to mayor.

‘‘Council is facing increasing demands on expenditure and rate increases must be balanced against maintaining acceptable service levels. With a new discipline imposed from me as mayor and prudent management and smarter spending, we can ease the projected annual increases of 5 per cent.

‘‘Housing affordability is a critical issue for Porirua and council needs a policy framework that increases the supply of housing and ensures that a full range of housing types are available for all household types in the city. Council has a significant leadership role to play in this space.

‘‘Our climate change response must include alternative modes of moving around the city and our roading network must adapt to continuing population growth pressures. Our overall transportation system needs to cater for all modes to make it easier to walk and cycle and aim to achieve more active communities.’’

’Ana Coffey, 41, Porirua City councillor/Capital & Coast DHB member; independent.

‘‘Porirua deserves leadership that demonstrates integrity, experience, and commitment. As a councillor for nine years, including three years as deputy mayor, I have proven leadership is more than a title. I have instigated and led council’s children and young people policy, meaning hundreds of students are engaged in city decisions. I have garnered support and delivered fairer wages for council employees; greater investment in infrastructure protecting our harbour and environment; adoption of a climate emergency; and initiated a safer, vibrant city centre. Porirua is on the precipice of significant change. Vote ‘Ana Coffey #1 for principled and focused thinking, action, and results.

‘‘The mayor must understand and drive financial strategy.

‘‘Unfortunately, like all household costs, rates will rise. However, I am committed to balancing the council budget within the next three years, and using debt responsibly to ensure today’s and tomorrow’s ratepayers are not shouldering more than their fair share of costs.

‘‘Porirua faces huge growth in housing in the next few years. We need strategic and mindful growth that will not degrade our environment and harbour, new developments to pay for their share of the infrastructure required to accommodate growth, and housing stock that is warm, healthy and dry.

‘‘I am supporting development of an expanded transport hub at Porirua train station. We must be planning for transport options that empower our community with real choices of how they connect to the city centre and region.’’

Mike Duncan, 69 going on 40, Western ward/Titahi Rangituhi Porirua ki te uru city councillor, independent.

‘‘My mayoralty will be marked by a call to activate the UNITY in commUNITY. We have this fixation these days with polarising people.

‘‘We focus on diversity almost to the exclusion of cohesiveness.

‘‘For our city to truly forge ahead, unity must go hand in hand with diversity. Nowhere is that more important than around the council table and that is where my leadership will focus.

‘‘This current council has been meticulous in keeping a lid on spending, predicating all decisions on affordability for ratepayers. I will be driving that same ethos and focusing on the need for government to show us the money when it introduces new legislation that loads costs on councils.

‘‘Porirua’s role in housing can only be and will be a strong advocacy one. There is no way our ratepayers can afford any investment in social housing.

‘‘The opening of Transmission Gully will herald huge changes in our city as will the exponential growth we are seeing with entire new subdivisions planned.

‘‘I will be promoting the tremendous amount of work being done to ensure that through all that change Porirua remains a connected and active city.’’

Izzy Ford, 45, city councillor, deputy mayor; independent.

‘‘Porirua needs strong governance and effective leadership to drive quality decisions and ensure we put our people at the heart of what we do. We are on the cusp of experiencing significant growth with infrastructure challenges. The need to futureproof and protect our environment is becoming more evident. The leadership must be strategic, forward-thinking and proactive.

‘‘I am that strategic leader with proven governance expertise to drive change. My experience includes deputy mayor, six years as city councillor, representative on local boards including the Wellington Rugby Union, Porirua Community Trust and nine years as board chair for Rangikura School.

‘‘Residents want assurance to keep rates under control. I remain committed to ensure council is fiscally transparent, is accountable for exploring cost savings, and seeks improvements by pushing value for money and efficiency of services. Reviewing our District Plan so we are enabling economic growth is key to this.

‘‘The Regeneration Project and Plimmerton farms are on our doorstep. Effective consultation involving our Porirua community is key to delivering quality outcomes.

‘‘Exploring a partnership with central government for an incentive grant for people building their first home will bring significant benefits. Rental home affordability is critical.

‘‘Transmission Gully will transform our city, encouraging growth and providing greater transport options. It is critical we have the infrastructure to encourage walking, cycling and public transport as real alternatives to private vehicle use.’’

Mike Tana, 53, mayor of Porirua; independent.

‘‘As your mayor, I am committed to continue driving efficiencies in council services and championing our city as the best place to live, laugh, work and play.

‘‘We have achieved many goals over my term: our new civic memorial, revitalised city centre – Te Manawa, development of the harbour edge, our new emergency operations centre, amazing splash pad, butterfly walk, new dog park, new recycling bins and energy saving LED street lighting across the city to name a few.

‘‘My leadership, with your aspirations, can combine to protect our harbour and natural environment and grow our beautiful city.

‘‘I am committed to managing rates so that the city meets its ageing infrastructure needs and is prepared for the increasing growth of the city. We need to continue to drive efficiencies in delivering council services and prioritise delivering the amenities and services that our ratepayers want.

‘‘Our city has cold, ageing, inadequate social housing. On my watch, this Government has committed $1.5 billion to housing and infrastructure in Porirua. This is unprecedented for our city and I am determined that Porirua realises this opportunity and benefits from 4000 new warm, dry, healthy homes and amenities.

‘‘Good transport planning is imperative for the future and growth of Porirua, especially with new businesses such as Adventure Park, and Transmission Gully opening soon. I am committed to having the best transport outcomes and I will continue to champion for safer roads.’’

Mani Ah Far, did not respond.