Peter Raymond KING

I am a dairy farmer on Ruawai flats, as were my parents, who came to Ruawai about 60 years ago. I completed all of my school years at Ruawai District High School. I joined the New Zealand Police in 1958 and after serving several years, returned to Ruawai and dairy farming.

I have been involved with various sporting and recreational clubs and spent 25 years on the Ruawai College Board. During this time I also served as Chairman of the Northland School Trustees
Association and as a member of the New Zealand School Trustees national executive. I was awarded a Queens Service Medal for public service in 1994.

I have been 9 years on the Kaipara District Council, one term as councillor, one as Deputy Mayor, and the last term as Mayor. I am married to Lyn. Our eldest son Tony manages our farm.

Neil Hartley TILLER

My name is Neil Tiller, a dairy farmer from Tangowahine. I am married to Catherine and have been for 36 yrs. We have four adult sons and eight grandchildren. I have for the last six years served as a Councillor for the central ward on the Kaipara District Council.

I believe I can provide strong leadership for our council and have the ability to communicate with the people of the Kaipara. I question the approach our council takes to solving waste water issues. I believe our resource consent process should be monitored by an independent person. I would encourage council to stop talking and ban GE from our area.

We live in one of the most wonderful places in the world and we need to keep it that way.

Brian BURNETT

I am a long-term resident of Dargaville, and with my wife Prue, own a retail business here. I am a current Kaipara District Councillor. Council’s decision to build the proposed 50m pool complete at Selwyn Park has my full support. Long-standing parking problems in Dargaville have recently
been addressed – a move I fully support as a main street retailer.

I believe Councils pragmatic response to the debate on powerboat use of the Kai Iwi Lakes was responsible and progressive. The difficulty in small communities of recycling and refuse continue to challenge our council and I am encouraged by recent development which should deliver on integrated waste/recycling facility.

I have gained considerable satisfaction in assisting numerous constituents who have raised with me concerns they have had with Council’s operations, and am committed to continuing to work for the Dargaville Ward, and the wider Kaipara District if re-elected.

Ben HITA

Commonly known as Ben Hita, I am married to Cherrie and we reside in our own home situated at 19 Puawai Street, Kaiwaka. I am a semi-retired, self-employed handyman. I hold senior positions in: the Ratana Church; the Northern District Health Board Kaumatua and Kuia Reference Group (wellbeing of the elderly); the Te Hana Community Development Charitable Trust; Kaumatua support for Te Ha O te Oranga o Ngati Whatua (Maori health provider); Board of Trustees for Te Korowai Aroha (social services); the Northern Area representative for ASSE (American Scandinavian Student Exchange programme); member of the NZ Health Trust; member of the Guardians of the Kaipara; chairperson for Te Roopu Tautoko,
Otamatea College.

In our spare time we enjoy relaxing in our boat on the Kaipara Harbour. My aim, if successful, is to continue serving the community to the best of my ability.

Tom SMITH

Tom Smith has 30 years business experience in senior marketing and management roles, and has spent the last 10 years working on behalf of his community, the last three of which as councillor, and member of council’s judicial committee.

He has been instrumental in promoting: policies to achieve greater fairness on how roads, wastewater and stormwater are funded; review of the District Plan; council’s response to a national rating enquiry; policies and strategies to enable local communities to help themselves. ‘There is still much to do. Residents are seeking more from council – to be more
accessible, more responsive and to demonstrate that the best possible bang for ratepayers’ bucks is achieved. We must pursue every opportunity to secure central-government funds for key community programmes.

‘I will continue to work energetically to advance the changes council must make to match the community’s aspirations.’

Richard Wayne ALSPACH

I farm a drystock operation with farm forestry, at Arapohue, in partnership with my wife, Helen. A councillor for nine years, the last three as Deputy Mayor. I have held the Roading portfolio, and am pleased with the
gradual improvements made. I am a member of the committee which hears planning applications. Before being elected to council I was involved
in national level farming politics.
Our district is coming under increasing pressure from development in some areas, and struggling with decline in others. This situation presents council with real challenges.

I am fully supportive of the way in which council consulted and put together its annual plan. This document is a contract between council and community, and I am pleased that we delivered broadly within the rate increases promised.

As I have been for the last nine years, I am available to talk to ratepayers at 09- 349 5133.

Lucy AWHITU

Mother of five, thirteen grandchildren, seven greatgrand. Semi retired, current trustee Te Runaga O Ngati Whatua, Iwi authority Whangarei.
Lucy has concerns for the emergency environment within the Kaipara District Council main focus flooding storm waters and any impacts thereof.

Lucy has had experience as a voluntary community worker. Worked for government department liaising on behalf of her community, housing, families at risk and in crisis. Alcohol and drug abuse in the streets of Auckland city.

Lucy has operated her own tourism venture, Kaihu Tours Ltd, from the International Airport Auckland, accompanied international visitors to tour spots, north and south.

Lucy is currently a founder executive of ‘Whetu O Te Moana Charitable Trust’ which has established training and education programmes, to provide structures to assist, nurture and develop employment projects, with particular emphasis on projects by unemployed people. To promote spiritual values for the people involved in the programmes.

Paul BREGMEN
Independent

Born in Auckland but lived in Wellsford for 15 years and have resided in the Kaipara District for the last 3. My trade is in the engineering field and I successfully ran my own business for a number of years.

I bring a number of attributes to the council in terms of common sense, a voice of reason and the experiences and concerns of the average working man.

The main issue I see that needs addressing is rates and the use thereof. It is a fine line we tread especially in relation to wages.

Please contact me on 439-7607 or BREGROB@xtra.co.nz to express your concerns or your support.

Carl BUTCHER

I will make council accountable for its actions, or lack
thereof.

Council needs to remember it is there to serve the
ratepayers, not take advantage of them.

Julie GEANGE

Hello to all. My name is Julie Geange, married with three children and residents of the Kaipara District for 12 years. Our family business is farm based and includes tourist accommodation. I am seeking to serve West Coast-Central Ward as a representative on Council.

I have, in the last couple of years, taken a real interest in what is happening with our council. I believe we need strong leadership, real people, who are willing to listen to what the community needs, and act with logic and commonsense. We should learn from our mistakes, move forward and ensure these are not repeated.

I have served on various committees both in supporting and leadership roles, and am confident that I can fairly represent all residents of this community. As a woman of logic, who is capable, approachable and dependable, I would like you to consider me, when placing your vote. Thank you.

Bill GUEST

Our council’s currently ranked worst in New Zealand, processing only 23% of resource consents in the required time. KDC increasingly spends our money on consultants and salaries while service delivery gets slower and our ability to fund roads and other infrastructure gets worse.

We need improved governance to ensure management perform. One essential reform is working with other councils in Northland sharing services and reducing duplication. By doing things smarter we will save millions that can then be redirected into roads, parks and other services. KDC needs to stop procrastinating and become more involved.

The council has forgotten who they serve and are focused increasingly on their everexpanding bureaucracy. We are all missing out as our district’s future is squandered. We have a great district but lack coherent leadership. As a farming leader I have worked with local government for years and have a successful record of getting results.