Chair Alex Bonham: Looking After People and Places in Waitematā

Alex Bonham making her declaration as Chair of the Waitematā Local Board.

Tēnā koutou katoa.

It’s a privilege and pleasure to stand here as Chair of the Waitematā Local Board, alongside a team of members with passion, a breadth of skills and a shared commitment to the wellbeing of our communities and the future of our city. We’ll learn from each other, and from you.

Thank you for everyone for coming this evening. Can I acknowledge Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Councillor Lee, Councillor Fairey, past and current elected members, business and community leaders, council staff, friends and loved ones. Everyone in this room has made an impact on the city, and on us, and I acknowledge and thank you.

This term, our work aligns with the mayor’s call for a more efficient, resilient, and globally competitive Auckland. His priorities—transport improvements, climate adaptation, economic growth, and revitalising the city centre—are echoed in ours. But we may diverge on one point: he suggests looking after people is central government’s job. We disagree. Who manages the parks where people play, the libraries where they learn, the sports facilities and community centres where they connect? That’s us. Enabling and empowering people is not a side hustle—it’s our core business.

🌱 Climate Resilience and Green Infrastructure

I’ve long championed climate action and inclusive, all-age-friendly urban design. We’ll keep supporting low-emission transport and infrastructure that reduces flood risk, restores native habitats, and creates safe places to live and play. We’re keen to build a city that’s interesting, beautiful, and green.

More homes near transport? Yes. We want more people in Waitematā. But let’s harness the power of design. We want daylight, trees, outlook, green space and cross-ventilation. Good design isn’t a luxury—it’s what makes people want to live here. Heritage matters too. Adaptive reuse of buildings including office buildings can be brilliant—or a disaster. Let’s aim for brilliant.

Peter Elliott brings a strong voice for environmental stewardship and smarter transport. His push for clean waterways and two-wheeled commuting reflects our commitment to a resilient, ocean-facing city. And council can lead in the renewable energy space. Electricity costs are too high. What role can council play in enabling renewable energy? A reliable supply of cheap energy isn’t just nice—it’s necessary.

🏘️ Housing, Homelessness, and Community Wellbeing

Sarah Trotman is passionate in her advocacy for ending homelessness and ensuring services deliver long-term value. Her focus on business and community engagement is vital to making our city centre safe, welcoming, and economically vibrant. We will embrace more ways to engage with local residents and busineses, online and in person this term. Democracy is not just about voting.

Greg Moyle’s support for parks, sports, arts, and recreation is unwavering. He’s helped create opportunities for young people to plant trees in their local parks so they can see them grow. He’s right. This sort of participation creates belonging. And his call for more police on the beat is echoed by residents to disincentivise criminal and anti-social behaviour.

But let’s be clear: moving rough sleepers on is not a solution. Moving them where? Which part of the city is appropriate? We urge council and the government to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring. It can be done with resources and political will. The government’s Homelessness Action Plan is solid. Please fund it.

Caitlin Wilson’s lived experience as a renter and her work at the Auckland City Mission informs our efforts to make Waitematā a place where everyone can thrive. She also reminds us that young people need to see a future here. The largest cohort in Waitematā are twenty-somethings. This could be the best place to study in the country, and then to stay. Let’s make some changes so young people want to stay, grow businesses and raise their families here.

Landlords—take the long view. Parnell and Ponsonby became cool because young people could afford to make their mark. Don’t leave spaces empty. Fill them with people, as places to live, or to do interesting things. And, yes, a school would help (can we transform Skyworld – anyone?)

🧠 Innovation, Inclusion, and Future-Ready Communities

Kara Kennedy brings expertise in tech, infrastructure, and digital inclusion. Her work securing international funding for AI upskilling shows how Waitematā can lead in future-focused development. Council software designers have created internationally award-winning applications, but there is so much potential in making council online services easier to use. Booking a room in a council facility is still too hard. We can do better. I’m sure we can.

Anahera Rawiri offers a powerful voice for the rohe. Her leadership across housing, health, and the built environment ensures our decisions support intergenerational wellbeing and reflects our cultural identity.

🏛️ Civic Spaces, Arts, and Connection

We remain committed to restoring assets like the Olympic Pool and Leys Library, and activating civic spaces in Uptown, Karangahape, and midtown. These are places where people gather, play, and connect—essential to a vibrant city. And enabling and encouraging people to activate spaces themselves. I hear from people that they don’t know how to get a permit. Most of the time, you don’t need permission. Just do it.

Peter is passionate about arts-led activation. Let’s make it easier for people to rehearse, perform, and enjoy talent—local and global—not just in venues (though we need more music venues) but across our public spaces. Just keep the neighbours in mind.

Connection is what the local board does best. In a world divided by silos and algorithms, we connect people—through transport, third spaces, events, partnerships, and opportunities.

Together, we bring experience in governance, planning, business, arts, education and activism. Different perspectives, united by one belief: that thoughtful planning, community-led solutions, and collaboration can build a city that is inclusive, climate-resilient, and culturally rich.

Let’s keep working together—residents, council, and elected leaders—to shape a Waitematā that leads Auckland forward.

Ngā mihi nui.

—Alex Bonham, Waitematā Local Board Chair