Candidate targets housing and climate
A Scout leader completing a masters degree in health science and psychology has been selected as the Green Party candidate for the Palmerston North City Council by-election.
At 23, Vanessa Rozenberg has her focus firmly set on youth development and playing a part in ensuring young people have a future where they are happy, healthy and safe.
Her priorities are about housing – ensuring everyone has a secure place to live – and facing the environmental challenge of the climate crisis.
Rozenberg grew up in Lower Hutt, but after five years’ study at Massey University said Palmerstonnorth was home.
She said the city had a great sense of community and was welcoming and inclusive, with potential to be a leader in social and environmental spheres.
Her involvement in Scouts had given her an insight into the importance of young people being able to continue being offered outdoor and personal development activities. They would bemost affected by the climate crisis and deserved the best possible future, she said.
Scout leadership had also provided her with experience in governance and policy development.
Her health studies were related to public and population health and strengthened her ability to read documents, read between the lines and ask hard questions, she said.
‘‘I’m ready to help lift [the] council’s ambitions for better health and housing outcomes, restoring our river, bringing nature back to our city, and tackling the climate crisis.’’
She wanted to strengthen the council’s efforts to provide social housing where the market was failing to deliver affordable housing for everyonewho needed it.
She also wanted to havemore sustainable transport systems, including buses, and making cycling and walking a safe and efficient option for more commuters.
The need for a by-election was triggered by former deputy mayor Tangi Utikere’s election to Parliament and resignation from the council.
Nominations close at noon on December 22. Voting closes on February 17.