Youthful Outlooks to Lead Porirua City

Nick Leggett, New Zealand’s youngest Mayor of New Zealand’s youngest city, has today announced the appointment of 35 year old Councillor ‘Ana Coffey; together, the youngest mayoral team in the country.

“I’m very pleased to confirm Councillor ‘Ana Coffey has accepted my offer of the role of Deputy Mayor for Porirua City,” says Mayor Leggett.

“Our Council reflects our city’s diversity so it is entirely fitting for a young woman of Maori-Tongan-Pakeha descent and a mother of four, to be its Deputy Mayor.

“However, during her first term as Councillor in the last triennium, she has also proved to be a highly effective contributor around the Council table,” he says.

At the recent local government elections, Councillor Coffey topped the poll in Porirua’s Western Ward, leading after the first round of vote counting.

“'Ana's strong popular support rewards the dedication she has brought to her role as Councillor, especially in Titahi Bay,” says Mayor Leggett.

Councillor Coffey successfully conceived and coordinated the inaugural Titahi Bay Fair and helped facilitate that community’s involvement in the City Council’s Village Planning programme.

Councillor Coffey also represented the Council on the Wellington Regional Governance Working Group, in particular representing the interests of young people.

Councillor Coffey led the Council's public support for marriage equality as the Bill legalizing gay marriage came before Parliament, standing up for the LGBT community in Porirua and elsewhere.

Councillor Coffey is a regular and effective user of social media to engage the community in issues and events she believes deserve wider recognition. She is also an innovator, having created her own series of YouTube video animations to help explain issues of local interest.

“I have no doubt ‘Ana will provide great support for me in my position as Mayor and will continue to be a vocal champion of our Council’s vision and our city’s people,” he says.

Councillor Coffey is a teacher of dance, especially hip hop and Jazz, is married to Jeff Elias and mother to Oscar 9, Jesse 8, Lily 6 and Maggie 4.

ENDS

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