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The Rodney Local Board looks set to continue business as usual after the Rodney First ticket maintained its dominance following local elections on October 12.
Rodney First secured six seats on the nine-member board, despite taking a hammering in the Warkworth subdivision, where Rodney First’s Paul Manton and Ayla Walker missed out, following the election of independents Tim Holdgate and Steven Garner.
Beth Houlbrooke
Despite that setback for Rodney First, the third Rodney First candidate for Warkworth, Beth Houlbrooke, succeeded in being re-elected with an increased majority.
The proportion of Rodney First to independent candidates (6:3) remains the same as it was before the election.
Ms Houlbrooke says in the next term Rodney First hopes to advance new zero waste initiatives and wants to negotiate with Auckland Transport to better manage the road sealing budget to see more roads sealed more quickly.
Ms Houlbrooke says low name recognition may have hurt the candidacy of Mr Manton and Ms Walker, whereas Steven Garner and Tim Holdgate have well-established names in the community. Mr Garner formerly served on the Board from 2010 to 2016.
Ms Houlbrooke added that a story in Mahurangi Matters (MM Oct 2), where independents claimed Rodney First members and supporters had been blocking them on dozens of community Facebook pages could have hurt the candidacy of Mr Manton and Ms Walker, but she thinks there is a risk of overplaying the importance of social media in the campaign
Steven Garner
However, Steven Garner thinks the social media story played a significant role.
“There was a backlash from the Warkworth subdivision, as people became aware of just how many of the local social media platforms were controlled or significantly influenced by Rodney First,” he says.
He adds that many people in the subdivision saw a danger in electing a block of people who are politically aligned and it’s a shame that, nevertheless, Rodney First’s dominance continues.
“Unfortunately, we have a Board that could and likely will be ruled by one or two people. The independents could continue to be shut right out.”
Tim Holdgate
However, fellow independent Tim Holdgate said he did not anticipate the Rodney First majority would be a problem.
“Normal business meeting protocols still apply,” he says.
All the Warkworth subdivision candidates expressed concern at the low voter turnout in the Warkworth subdivision, which dropped from 53 per cent in the 2016 election to 46 per cent. Ms Houlbrooke says one solution might be to abandon postal voting and go back to polling booths.
“People make that special trip and are seen to be exercising their democratic right and there is a sense of pride in that,” she says.
The new Rodney Local Board comprises: Warkworth subdivision, Beth Houlbrooke (Rodney First), Tim Holdgate (independent), Steven Garner (independent); Kumeu subdivision, Phelan Pirrie (Rodney First), Brent Bailey (Rodney First), Danielle Hancock (Rodney First), Vicki Kenny (Rodney First); Wellsford subdivision, Colin Smith (independent); Dairy Flat subdivision Louise Johnston (Rodney First).
Mark Vincent
New face on Kaipara District Council
Mark Vincent has succeeded in becoming a councillor for the Otamatea ward of Kaipara District Council after defeating rivals Craig Jepson, Wayne Linton and Ian Miller. It’s the first time Mr Vincent has assumed a political role, though he previously worked for Council in management roles for more than 20 years.
Mr Vincent says his election probably reflects the fact that he is well known in the community as chair of The Kauri Museum and founder of Otamatea HarbourCare, which assists rural landowners with riparian planting.
Mr Vincent says his priorities as a councillor are to see continued improvement in Kaipara’s roads and to look at ways Council can assist community groups, not necessarily just financially, but in ways that can benefit the community as a whole.
Meanwhile, Anna Curnow was re-elected for a second term and joins Mr Vincent in representing the Otamatea Ward. Ms Curnow says her priorities are roading, creating a business-friendly Council and making progress with “climate change adaptation” planning.
In the Mayoral race, incumbent Dr Jason Smith defeated film maker and former drug dealer, bank robber and escort agency owner, Moemoea Mohoawhenua.
