City Vision presents a great line up of candidates for the 2022 elections for the Waitematā Local Board. We have some really interesting newcomers – Stephen May, Rosemary Peppermint, Antony Phillips and Anahera Rawiri – who will stand with current members Alex Bonham, Glenda Fryer and Richard Northey.
- Stephen May is a long-term resident of the area but a first-time candidate for the Waitematā Local Board. He is a professor of education at the University of Auckland, specialising in issues of diversity, equity, language, and education. He speaks widely on these issues to school and community groups, emphasising the importance of recognising and supporting diversity in education and the wider community. He is passionate about addressing key educational issues in Waitematā, including the urgent need for an inner-city school.
- Anahera Rawiri is also a new candidate. With a career in the corporate sector, she now has time to offer her experience and skills to serve Auckland city and the local board area. Anahera owns a specialist consultancy firm and has a background in Iwi development, housing, health and property. She holds governance roles on a number of tribal advisories, and on the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board, which assists and advises Council on achieving the vision and strategic outcomes of the City Centre Masterplan and Auckland Plan.
- Glenda Fryer, a St Mary’s Bay resident, is serving the community as a member of the Waitematā Local Board. She is the Board’s local economic development portfolio lead and member of the Ponsonby Business Association. A keen gardener, author, RMA Commissioner, film and TV ‘extra’ in local productions, Glenda is a member of the Auckland Community Housing Trust which provides secure, affordable rental housing for people with mental illness, disability or other needs. She is passionate about excellent parks and public spaces.
- Richard Northey, Central City resident, has a lifetime of working for his communities, using political skills to achieve their desired outcomes. Currently Chair of Waitematā Local Board, he is part of the Advisory Group working to bring Leys Institute back to community use. A long-term Trustee of the Problem Gambling Foundation and Asian Family Services, Richard chairs the Auckland Community Housing Trust, providing secure, affordable rental housing for people with mental illness, disability or other needs. He is a Board member of Heart of the City Business Association and Ponsonby Community Centre.
- Antony Phillips (Ngāti Kahungunu /Te Arawa) is an advisor in the heritage sector. A Queen Street resident, he is an active volunteer: co-founded the City Centre Market (a weekly fresh produce market for the apartment community); organiser at the Daldy Street Community Garden; a long-time committee member of the City Centre Residents’ Group (CCRG); and a member of the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board (which assists and advises Council on achieving the vision and strategic outcomes of the City Centre Masterplan and Auckland Plan).
- Alex Bonham lives in Grey Lynn and is a parent trustee of Richmond Road School. Deputy Chair of the Waitematā Local Board she leads on urban planning and parks issues, sits on the Auckland Domain Committee and pushes for more action on climate change. A theatre-maker and writer, Alex is completing a doctorate on play in cities. She is a member of Women in Urbanism Aotearoa, whose mission is to transform our cities into more beautiful, inspiring and inclusive places for everyone.
- Rosemary Peppermint is a first-time Waitematā Local Board candidate living in Eden Terrace. They are a proud queer agender person, tangata Tiriti, and community organiser who enjoys volunteering with grassroots organisations such as Sunday Blessings (utilising community surplus food to feed 170+ guests each Sunday evening), creating upcycled crafts, and connecting with their community – plants, animals, and humans alike! Rosemary is passionate about collective climate action and striving for progressive, equitable, transformational change. Currently, they work as a venue host at Basement Theatre and a freelance artist/writer.
They all join Pippa Coom, who will once again be our candidate for the Waitematā and Gulf Ward Councillor.
We give our thanks for the work of the ‘retiring’ board members: Adriana, Graeme, Julie and Kerrin, who are pursuing new and exciting opportunities. They will all continue to support City Vision for the 2022 election campaign.