Councillor Dick Quax has today passed away at the age of 70.
Mayor Phil Goff said, “We are all saddened to hear of the passing of Dick Quax today.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Roxanne and his children.
“Dick served as a councillor, first on the Manukau City Council and then on the new Auckland Council, representing Howick Ward.
“He was a passionate contributor in council debates, advocating strongly on behalf of his constituents.
“We remember him also as one of New Zealand’s finest athletes, representing us at the Olympics and international events.
“Dick battled his illness with courage and continued to work as long as he could on behalf of his community.
“On behalf of Auckland Council, we offer our deepest sympathy and condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time,” said Mayor Goff.
Seventeen years a councillor
Councillor Dick Quax began his local government tenure in 2001 when he was elected to the Manukau City Council in the Pakuranga ward. He served three terms on the Manukau council, returning in 2004 to represent the new Botany-Clevedon ward. In the 2007 local body elections he ran for Mayor of Manukau City, losing his bid to Len Brown.
He was chair of Manukau City Council’s Community Safety Committee and lead the council’s ‘Safe City’ portfolio, this included representing the council’s Civil Defence responsibilities.
Cr Quax was elected to Auckland Council in 2011 following a by-election to replace Jami-Lee Ross who resigned to become a Member of Parliament. He was re-elected, as a Howick ward councillor alongside Cr Sharon Stewart, in 2013 and 2016.
He was Chair of the Auckland Council’s Tenders and Procurement Sub-Committee during the 2010-2013 term.
Cr Quax was an unstinting advocate for Howick, Pakuranga and the eastern suburbs. He is known for his strong positions on high-density housing, public transportation and Auckland’s Unitary Plan. Cr Quax was also known as a steward of ratepayer funds, which was a particular focus in his 2011 maiden speech.
"My platform for the Howick by-election was based around the need for council to focus on its core activities and spend our ratepayers money wisely and to make our region affordable so that everyone can enjoy living here," he said.
