CHRIS WOODHAMS for Waipā mayor
Chris says he is “proud to call Waipā home and would be honoured to serve as mayor”.
He believes Waipā is facing a growing range of issues; “steady as we go” and “we just have to navigate” aren’t the styles of leadership we need.
“I am a leader with real vision and aspiration, capable of growing a stronger Waipā into the future. I’m not a politician, for this I won’t apologise. I have a proven record of real-world delivery and achievement.”
For 20 years, Chris served as a director, VP, COO and CEO of significant international telephony software houses and has an extensive background in governance, strategies, value development and team development, and brings all these skills to the role of mayor.
“Together, we need to re-envision Waipā. Together — Waipā is strongest when we work together. As mayor, I will help shape that vision while breaking down communication barriers, championing real social, cultural, physical and economic connections across the district. I want a stronger, more-connected, moreresilient Waipā,” says Chris.
He believes the dynamics of how Waipā residents live, work and play are changing fast.
“Our youth are our future; without a youth focus Waipa¯’s growth will be minimal and local services more expensive per household.”
“In my first term I will champion the delivery of a social internet service provider to Waipā . This provider will offer families in the Waipā a quality, well-priced internet connection.
“For households which cannot afford the internet, we will work with them to make arrangements to get a right-priced connection.
“As a father of four kids whose community integration and education has depended on a good internet connection, for those who are not part of the connected community in the Waipa¯, the outcomes, in the long run, limit inclusion: community, social, and economic.
“Council will partner and promote, not own the service,” says Chris.
“We need a strategy now for attracting and retaining young people in our district; new businesses, and with them, jobs, opportunities, and more youth-focused activities and programmes.”
“We must plan clean intensification with more public transport, cycling and walking and green areas. Big changes are coming from central government, I am unconvinced the changes are the best options for Waipa¯ .”
“Unplanned housing intensification will overwhelm Waipa¯’s current infrastructure; we need planned, purposeful housing intensification, which Waipa¯ can prepare for.”
Chris believes fluoridation should be a matter of personal choice.
“Fluoridation in our water assumes the people who need it most will drink water — I prefer fluoride tablets available for those who need them.”
Chris says “the proposed Three Waters changes will add layers of bureaucracy, costing more, and will mean we totally lose control of the assets that we have paid for over many generations”.
“I want the best for our people, environment and future. I want good housing, healthy waters and air, and our kids with strong teeth. Change must be well planned and make sense for now and our future.”