Thu, 2 Sep 2004

Marney Ainsworth - ARC Candidate for Auckland city

Long time community activist and management consultant Marney Ainsworth is a candidate for Auckland Regional Council representing Auckland City.

Marney, who has lived in Auckland for more than twenty years, is the woman who blew the whistle on the Bill Birch report commissioned by John Banks using emergency powers in the early days of his mayoralty.

She later became the convenor and spokesperson for the Wake Up Auckland movement that formed to coordinate the reaction across Auckland to the many cuts in services planned by the Auckland City Council.

"As a result of the last three years, I have learned that an awful lot of important decisions get made that people in the community know very little about. It also became clear that many of the issues that concern people are, in fact, the responsibility of the ARC.

"With the current government strengthening and consolidating the role of the ARC, it will become the place where important decisions affecting our future will be made. This includes decisions on transport solutions for the region, the supply and distribution of water, and regional strategies for economic, social and environmental well-being.

"Whatever strategies are developed for the future must have as their goal an improvement in the living standards and quality of life of households and small businesses in the region. This is vital when we consider that more than 40% of households in Auckland City have a combined income of less than $40,000 pa."

The ARC will also have a leading role in the debate about if and how a super city will be formed.

"Many people are concerned that a super city will result in the ordinary people in their neighbourhoods having even less say than they do at the moment." she said. "I am standing to give people the opportunity to vote for someone who can bring an experienced and pro-community perspective to discussions and decision making."

"My experience in public consultation has also confirmed that it is important to get the big picture right first. The big picture for Auckland is the responsibility of the ARC."

Originally trained as a mental health professional, Marney has a background in the trade union movement. She established her own practice in 1995 and has considerable experience in consultation and planning, particularly in the areas of transport and settlement services for new migrants and refugees. She also works as a mentor to small business operators.

Marney's work and community experience is backed up with qualifications in facilitation, public sector management and a Master of Business Administration.

ENDS

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