Presland to chair Waitakere Ranges
Greg Presland is to lead the Waitakere Ranges Local Board.
Six candidates on the Future West ticket were re-elected to all six board positions this election. In a joint Future West press release, Presland says their reelection is ‘‘a big vote of confidence in our approach’’.
‘‘We started the term on Piha Beach protesting about oil drilling off the West Coast and then protested against the felling of an ancient kauri in Titirangi.’’
A focus of the board this term will be revitalisation of Glen Eden, he says.
Extending the shared pathway from Oratia to Parrs Park, better tree protection and a possible shuttle service for outer areas are also on the agenda. Former chairperson Sandra Coney, despite gaining the most votes, says in the release that she did not seek the position again as she wants to spend more time writing, and restoring her family’s land at Piha.
Saffron Toms will be deputy chairperson. The three other Future West members elected to the board are Denise Yates, Neil Henderson and Steve Tollestrup.
Presland also ran for councillor in the Waitakere Ward coming 698 votes short of Linda Cooper’s 12,442.
The board will be inaugurated at a ceremony on October 27, when the chairperson and deputy will be officially chosen.