Whangārei District Council

Whangārei Urban General Ward
The Whangārei District Council provides local services and facilities, such as public transport, rubbish and recycling, libraries, parks, and recreation facilities. It also makes decisions about building and planning, local regulations, and infrastructure, such as water supply and sewerage. The council is made up of 13 councillors and the mayor. Councillors are elected to represent wards (areas in the district). Five councillors will be elected from the Whangārei Urban ward. This is a first past the post (FPP) election, so you vote by ticking the name of your preferred candidate on your ballot paper. Compare the candidates and their policies to decide who to vote for in the Whangārei District Council election.

Local democracy

Local government is a foundational part of our democracy. But local democracy isn’t just about holding elections every three years – it’s about the day-to-day ways people have their say in the decisions that affect us all.

Local democracy

Local government is a foundational part of our democracy. But local democracy isn’t just about holding elections every three years – it’s about the day-to-day ways people have their say in the decisions that affect us all.

  • Start an annual consultation with ratepayers and support community associations, including Māori groups.

    Build a can-do culture within council.

  • Engage authentically with the community to co-create solutions to our districts issues.

    Hold wānanga once a month for a weekend around the district as mayor to spend real time getting to know the community and its issues.

    Advocate for the implementation of the STV voting method to allow for a more diverse group of councillors and experience at the table.

  • He tangata tiriti ahau – I will seek to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and support Māori representation.

    I will hold Saturday morning 'constituency clinics' at the Whangārei Central Library if elected.

    I support WDC paying staff and contractors the living wage and I would support a universal basic income.

  • Public engagement. Start engaging personally to locals offer a walk-in and chat in person or zoom conversation. Real talk, hear them out.

    Internal operations. Interaction needs to be given on a regular basis to allow a solid foundation between councillors and all staff.

    Council employee wages and working conditions. A more equal to performance pay as same or more than the contractors. Value and respect staff.

  • Hold monthly meetings to get and give feedback to residents, so everyone is included and informed.

    Review all council employees and make sure that they have what they need to do their job effectively, productively and cost-effectively.

    Promote all ethnic communities and cultures to bring diversity and a better understanding of cultures to all in Whangārei.

  • Engage council with different cultures to create a more comfortable feel for all.

    Engage with Māori more to get a shared idea on how Whangārei as a whole can encourage and preserve Māori culture in the Whangārei area.

    Engage with the community more to make sure everyone feels heard and has a say in the future of our city.

  • Democratic process needs to be followed, accountability and transparency.

    Council spending: council needs to be prudent with its spending.

    Roading issues and congestion need solutions.

  • Hold less public excluded meetings.

    Introduce co-governance across all areas of council.

    Encourage more consensus decision-making amongst councillors.

  • Support working closer with communities to ensure equitable focus on the four wellbeings – culture, economics, social and environmental.

    Explore opportunities of co-governance to work closer with hapū and iwi in our bicultural country to support our multicultural nation.

    Support new communications channels and appropriate engagement to develop plans and projects around the district.

  • Start an annual consultation with ratepayers and support community associations, including Māori groups.

    Build a can-do culture within council.

  • Engage authentically with the community to co-create solutions to our districts issues.

    Hold wānanga once a month for a weekend around the district as mayor to spend real time getting to know the community and its issues.

    Advocate for the implementation of the STV voting method to allow for a more diverse group of councillors and experience at the table.

  • He tangata tiriti ahau – I will seek to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and support Māori representation.

    I will hold Saturday morning 'constituency clinics' at the Whangārei Central Library if elected.

    I support WDC paying staff and contractors the living wage and I would support a universal basic income.

  • Public engagement. Start engaging personally to locals offer a walk-in and chat in person or zoom conversation. Real talk, hear them out.

    Internal operations. Interaction needs to be given on a regular basis to allow a solid foundation between councillors and all staff.

    Council employee wages and working conditions. A more equal to performance pay as same or more than the contractors. Value and respect staff.

  • Hold monthly meetings to get and give feedback to residents, so everyone is included and informed.

    Review all council employees and make sure that they have what they need to do their job effectively, productively and cost-effectively.

    Promote all ethnic communities and cultures to bring diversity and a better understanding of cultures to all in Whangārei.

  • Engage council with different cultures to create a more comfortable feel for all.

    Engage with Māori more to get a shared idea on how Whangārei as a whole can encourage and preserve Māori culture in the Whangārei area.

    Engage with the community more to make sure everyone feels heard and has a say in the future of our city.

  • Democratic process needs to be followed, accountability and transparency.

    Council spending: council needs to be prudent with its spending.

    Roading issues and congestion need solutions.

  • Hold less public excluded meetings.

    Introduce co-governance across all areas of council.

    Encourage more consensus decision-making amongst councillors.

  • Support working closer with communities to ensure equitable focus on the four wellbeings – culture, economics, social and environmental.

    Explore opportunities of co-governance to work closer with hapū and iwi in our bicultural country to support our multicultural nation.

    Support new communications channels and appropriate engagement to develop plans and projects around the district.