Last Saturday was the Local Government election, where we saw two Auckland Councillors and nine Howick Local Board members elected to represent our east Auckland community for the next three years.
Congratulations to Paul Young and Sharon Stewart, who return as our two local Councillors, to returning Local Board members Katrina Bungard, David Collings, John Spiller, Mike Turinsky, Adele White, Bob Wichman, and Peter Young, and a very special congratulations to our two first-time board members, Bo Burns and Bruce Kendall.
I also want to thank Garry Boles and Jim Donald who were not re-elected after serving as members on the Local Board for several terms each.
Garry served east Auckland as a member of the Local Board since 2013 and prior to that was a long-serving community constable in the area.
Fortunately, Garry was elected to the Counties Manukau District Health Board so will continue to be involved locally on behalf of our community.
Jim has been a Howick Local Board member since the Auckland Council merger in 2010 and served for six years prior to that as a Manukau City Councillor, so has had a long record of public service in our community.
Thank you Garry and Jim and my best wishes for the future.
I have enjoyed a close working relationship with our Councillors and Local Board members since my own election as the MP for Pakuranga in 2017, and I am looking forward to continuing that relationship going forward.
While new to the board, Bo and Bruce are well known in our community for the work they have been involved in locally.
I am fortunate to call them both friends and I know they’re keen to get stuck in.
They will work incredibly hard for east Auckland and bring fresh ideas and perspectives to the important work the board does.
There are many challenges facing east Auckland, many of which our councillors and local board members will have direct oversight on solving.
I believe strongly that once elected, we are all here to serve you, our constituents.
It’s important we all work together, and not in opposition to one another, for the betterment of our community, and I know that is a value I share with all of those elected.
Congratulations again to the successful candidates – it’s time to get to work!
Simeon Brown
MP for Pakuranga
