Simon Britten to stand as a Papanui Ward candidate in the 2019 local body election

Founder and curator of the Think Papanui Simon Britten has announced that he will be a candidate in the Papanui Ward in the 2019 local body elections.

In 2016 Simon founded the Think Papanui community engagement initiative, and he is still involved on a daily basis. Think Papanui’s aim is to share information on City Council consultations, Community Board agenda items and decisions, local projects in action, and generally what’s happening in the community. “This has helped keep the community informed”, says Simon, “and has also helped me keep in touch with local government and our community”.

Simon values a connected community that cares for all of its members, and is passionate about making a contribution through an elected role in Papanui.

What is a ‘connected community’?

It’s healthy for individuals and whānau/families to live in relationship with others. A connected community as one where people know and care for each other. Everybody contributes to community connections, including our Council and Community Board.

Simon has had the privilege of working in a leadership role at Papanui-based youth and community development organisation Te Ora Hou Ōtautahi since 2011. For a large part of that time he has been involved with the school attendance service, supporting children, whānau/families, and schools. He has also worked in areas including youth employment and alternative education.

Previously Simon worked for Tait Communications in marketing management, and has volunteered with the Papanui Youth Development Trust. He has served on boards including the Papanui Baptist Freedom Trust, Pillars - the charity working nationally with children of prisoners, and the Casebrook Intermediate School Board of Trustees. He is a previous Vodafone Foundation World of Difference recipient, and has completed two Canterbury University postgraduate courses for leaders in the community sector.

“I really value our community, and I enjoy working in a strategic role. I see an elected position in local government as the perfect way to bring these things together” says Simon.

https://simonbritten.com/
https://thinkpapanui.nz/

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