The 2019 election day is on Saturday 12 October 2019. Voting documents will be delivered between 20 – 25 September.
As a public service, the candidates for the community board have been invited to publish a statement to outline their candidacy here. This website aims to show no favouritism. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order.
Information on this page is directly from candidates, or taken from http://www.votewaikato.co.nz/ the council operated website. All candidates have been sent the same invite to add a statement to this page. Any queries please contact [email protected] or call 09 232 8282
Caroline Conroy
Contact details: 027 688 372 or email [email protected]
I am resident of Glen Murray and I live on a large lifestyle block with my partner, we have a small herd of cattle as well as horses, chickens and several pets. There are large stands of native bush on the land which we are expanding and also planting fruit trees. I am a current Onewhero-Tuakau community board member and in my work-life I have a leadership role within the midwifery profession. With some Board members retiring this election there is a need for experienced Community Board members. The next three years needs a strong Community Board to ensure urban growth is well planned, elite soils are protected, the needs of the rural community are supported, local jobs are created and roads and parks are well maintained. With 15 years experience in elected local council roles I bring a range of experience particularly in public transport initiatives and support for improvements in rail services. A strong advocate for local representation I supported the retention of this community board in the representation review and believe that more decision making should be delegated to community boards and local communities.
– Caroline Conroy
Shaun Jackson
Contact details: [email protected]
I am Shaun Jackson a born and bred Tuakau, Onewhero resident wishing to represent our community again on the OTCB.
In the last three years as Deputy Chairperson I have learnt a lot about our community, peoples aspirations and the great work already in action to improve and support our people. My special interest is improving our sports and recreational facilities for all to enjoy, as such As the Chair of the Tuakau Combined Sports Society I strive to support strong communication and excellent facilities for our sports teams and community groups, working alongside Council to continually improve facilities on the Dr John Lightbody reserve .
As a Resident, Business Owner, Parent and Husband, I am dedicated to continuous improvement and the positive development of our town and facilities. I will continue to work to achieve positive outcomes while working with the different groups and people who make call our area home.
In the Onewhero area we need to continue to lobby for improvement and timely repairs to the roading network and also work with great groups such as the Onewhero Domain committee to support their plans.
– Shaun Jackson
Jonathan Lovatt
Contact details: 027 433 9740 or email [email protected]
Our local community needs to have their voice heard within the Community Board and the Waikato Council and my aim is to represent this community and the collective perspective. I have a desire to see the local and surrounding areas develop positively, whilst embracing the roots, the ongoing growth and diversity we are experiencing.
I have been part of the Onewhero community for almost 20 years, in that time I spent 10 years on our local School BOT and more recently become involved with OSPA Theatre. I am keen to take my community involvement to another level.
I have come from a corporate environment and wish to use the skills I have gained to give back to community. I run a home-based consultancy business which allows for time flexibility to be involved where needed.
Within our extended community I would like to be able to focus on the following areas;
– Encourage community engagement to develop recreation areas that highlight and protect natural landforms.
– Continue to develop better village and school speed control zones.
– Work with the Council to further extend rural recycling and rubbish collections.
– Encourage optimum utilisation of existing community facilities.
If you have any community projects, initiatives or opportunities I would be keen to discuss these further, to understand how the Community Board may be able to help and how, if I am elected, I can best support the wider Onewhero community.
– Jonathan Lovatt
Liam McGrath
Contact details: [email protected]
I am an Aircraft Engineer; Mercer Resident; Caretaker of Mercer School and Chairman of Mercer Community Committee. Early years I attended Pukekawa Primary School; Onewhero Area School; then moved onto Pukekohe High School.
I have always had an interest and passion to assist people and communities and build a network through their interest. The ethics and values that I have adopted from my experience in the Defence Force, I have demonstrated through my actions and still uphold to this day.
As I am outside of the Onewhero-Tuakau area, I am interested and determined to work with communities of interest and become a representative of the Onewhero-Tuakau Community Board. I understand the concerns with the amalgamation into Waikato and the lack of attention and timeframes the northern communities have received. I am impelled to ensure our board continues emphasising the communities interests through persistence.
– Liam McGrath
Graham Nelson
Contact details: [email protected]
I am a passionate community person, active in promoting connections in the community and to giving a voice to community aspirations. I have previously held roles outside of Waikato in the capacity of Board of Trustees for High Schools and Treasurer for Youthline Manawatu.
I have lived in the Waikato area for 3 Years, and now feel that the time is right to become involved at a formal level for the community. I will act as an advocate for our community to get the best support from our council for local facilities, parks and streets, road and line-marking improvements, and community safety initiatives. All of these priorities need to be balanced, and the community kept well informed on the use of council spending, ensuring that the funds are allocated appropriately and within budget.
– Graham Nelson
Kandi Ngataki
Contact details: [email protected]
I’m Kandi Ngataki a dedicated and passionate local wahine maaori from Te Kohanga / Tuakau and im standing for the Onewhero-Tuakau Community Board.
Im a mother of 4 children, current working in the education sector and involved throughout the community. I offer a synergy of diversity on the boards, committees and trusts that I’m involved with. I have over 20 years of experience at a governance level but most of all a common sense approach to all matters.
Our community as a whole is an untapped destination, I’m ready to drive and generate opportunities about education and employment, community engagement, economic development and environmental sustainability, we need to ensure that we harness those to help grow a sustainable and thriving community that is future-focused with a strong identity.
I think its time for a change, im proactive, I bring a new energy, fresh ideas and I serve to make positive changes for our community to grow and prosper.
I’m passionate about listening to the needs and wants of the people, representing their views and I can be that voice and difference for our community.
Your voice, My voice, Our voice To reo, Toku reo, To tatou reo
– Kandi Ngataki
Vern Reeve
Contact details: 027 454 1112 or email [email protected]
Bronwyn Watson
Contact details: [email protected]
I have been elected on the present board for past 15 years.Was born at Waiuku and lived in Pukekohe but have lived in Tuakau since 1980.
My children now grown attended both Harrisville an Tuakau College. There are still many things in this area that I am passionate about. I have been involved with many different Committees, Clubs from Schools, Sports, and the Positive Aging Expo for the over 65s, during the past 38 years.
Old saying it takes a village to raise a child, but to me it means Family or Whanau should work together as one.
Transport- Infrastructure – Green Spaces, Swimming Pool all are important issues for North Waikato
– Bronwyn Watson