To be the voice for your community – that’s why.
Aucklanders are urged to stand and help shape the future of Tāmaki Makaurau, ahead of candidate nominations for Auckland Local Elections 2025 opening Friday 4 July and closing Friday 1 August at midday.
Who should stand?
‘Community-minded individuals’, that’s according to people who have worked closely with Auckland’s elected members, such as Tennis Auckland’s chief executive office Rohan West. Rohan speaks highly of working with elected members and has four key qualities in mind for Aucklanders considering standing.
“Passion, vision, a can-do attitude and pragmatism are attributes that will help get more projects completed to improve the Auckland region and the lives of its residents,” Rohan says.
Conservation Officer Andrew Bassett is also keen to see more passion, specifically for conservation.
“Continued support from elected members can progress the projects that Conservation Volunteers New Zealand has started,” says Andrew.
EcoMatters Environmental Trust CEO, Carla Gee is also clear about what elected members need to do to enable resilience and action.
“Elected members need to be able to listen to their community; be knowledgeable about issues that are affecting their community. And they need to be able to build consensus,” says Carla.
What can elected members achieve?
From a regionwide network of bike hubs to hundreds of thousands of plants in the ground, tennis facility upgrades and volunteers keeping others safe – elected members have supported an array of initiatives.
Just a few of the projects made possible through elected members’ support include:
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Nine bike hubs across the region for sustainable transport
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127,000 trees planted along Papakura Stream
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Tennis facility upgrades with improved courts, lighting and a booking system
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Volunteer support for community patrols and safety efforts.
With a volunteer base of 35 people and a demand for more, founder and Head Patrol of Epsom Community Patrols, Rod Gabb appreciates all the help from elected members on local boards.
“Support from local boards helps with costs to train volunteers, run our vehicle, provide first aid and uniforms,” says Rod.
“We’ve worked collaboratively with elected members and without their assistance we wouldn’t have achieved our objectives.”
Patrolling the streets and helping people to feel safe is the sole purpose of community patrols, which means he’s familiar with some of the issues seen in the community.
“It’s important to have elected members on the council because they represent the people who know the community and its issues,” Rod explains.
Rohan also emphasises what the support of the council’s elected members has helped Tennis Auckland achieve:
“Elected members have helped enable upgrades for tennis facilities with refurbished courts, LED lights and an online booking system, to improve sport and recreation for Aucklanders.”
Why it matters
Opportunities for elected members to make a difference in their communities are endless.
From protecting our environment to recreation and sports, Auckland Council’s elected members can help drive progress on essential initiatives. As Carla puts it, futureproofing Auckland takes collective leadership.
“Any project that has to do with climate action, building resilience within our communities to deal with weather events, food security and sustainable transport options deserves elected member support,” she says.
Find out how to stand for council at Vote Auckland.
