Whangārei District Council
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Simon Schuster
Simon Schuster
Why I'm standing
I have always had serving the community at the heart of my values. I am shifting my focus from supporting school communities to Whangarei as a whole. I want to bring the skills, experience and passion I have developed in education to local governance, ensuring residents' voices are heard and delivering practical outcomes that improve the lives of people across our city.
About me
I would make a strong elected representative because 18 years in rural communities have given me a deep understanding of local needs. I have 13 years of experience in school governance and eight as a principal, during which I developed strategic visions and turned them into action. I have experience navigating government and council processes, building networks and ensuring community voices are heard. I know how to get projects moving—and get them done—effectively and collaboratively.
My priorities
- Hold council accountable by stopping rate rises without clear, visible benefits and supporting a council-controlled trading organisation to ease rates.
- Fight for rural resilience by securing fair funding to revitalise towns and improve essential roads.
- Create a knowledge hub to connect youth with education and local job opportunities.
Before politics
School Principal
Residence
Maungatapere, Whangarei
Age
41
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Why I'm standing
I have always had serving the community at the heart of my values. I am shifting my focus from supporting school communities to Whangarei as a whole. I want to bring the skills, experience and passion I have developed in education to local governance, ensuring residents' voices are heard and delivering practical outcomes that improve the lives of people across our city.
About me
I would make a strong elected representative because 18 years in rural communities have given me a deep understanding of local needs. I have 13 years of experience in school governance and eight as a principal, during which I developed strategic visions and turned them into action. I have experience navigating government and council processes, building networks and ensuring community voices are heard. I know how to get projects moving—and get them done—effectively and collaboratively.
My priorities
- Hold council accountable by stopping rate rises without clear, visible benefits and supporting a council-controlled trading organisation to ease rates.
- Fight for rural resilience by securing fair funding to revitalise towns and improve essential roads.
- Create a knowledge hub to connect youth with education and local job opportunities.
Before politics
School Principal
Residence
Maungatapere, Whangarei
Age
41
Connect via
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