Prominent New Zealander backs mayoral race

She’s an elite Kiwi sportswoman who has wowed crowds on the global stage and more recently known as a leading health activist committed to helping create a healthier future for all New Zealanders.

Now Matakana homeowner Allison Roe is taking a strong role in the Rodney mayoral race.

Allison is backing candidate Alan Curtis for mayor. Allison knows Alan from her 10 years living in Coatesville, her home with her children prior to remarrying three years ago.

“I love Rodney,” says Allison, 51, mother to two teenagers and two older stepchildren. “I believe it’s the best environment in New Zealand bar none and I see a long term future for myself and my family at our Rodney home.

“I’ve seen Alan’s work in action over a long period of time and believe he is the right person to lead Rodney into a healthier, wealthier, brighter future in every sense. He’s a wonderful family and community man with a huge background in improving education and in business.

“I absolutely wouldn’t be backing Alan and putting my reputation on the line if I didn’t think he was a man of absolute integrity and principal. He ticks all the boxes.”

Alan’s background includes eight years as chief executive of Datacom, a major IT company. During that time he quadrupled the company income in five years with the same 25 staff and later developed offshore arms for the company in Asia & Australia.

He’s also a strong community man with 17 years as chairman of different school board of trustees and has been board member and deputy chair of the Museum of Transport and Technology. He’s currently chairman for three schools boards.

Alan’s platform for his mayoral run is (www.alancurtis.co.nz):

- Balancing the needs of growth and environmental protection

- Commonsense & stability for Rodney

- Improving services for ratepayers

- Not being afraid to implement change where it’s needed

- Creating a Council of listeners focused on accountability to ratepayers

Says Alan: “Rodney sits on the border of New Zealand’s largest and fastest growing city and we need to maintain our grip. We need to manage our environment - and we need to manage our development.

“The cost of managing this growth and the higher capital and maintenance costs has caused much concern among ratepayers. We need to make sure that rate dollars are spent wisely and efficiently. I have a background and skills in this area.”

Alan believes part of the solution is creating more employment opportunities in Rodney to grow business that can help contribute to the rating burden.

Another big area of concern for him is the fact that almost 40% of students leaving Rodney’s four secondary schools each year do not have at least NCEA Level 1. It’s something Alan would like to use his considerable skills with schools to help remedy.

Allison Roe is in total agreement.

Says Allison: “Alan has a balanced and commonsense approach to the future of this region, believes in environmental protection coupled with measured business growth and in streamlining council functions.

“He knows we need fairness in our rating system and the ability to get the best results out of council income and spend. And he’s got a great name for being able to bring together diverse ideas to create a united team!”

Allison will be helping host a range of functions across Rodney in the coming months to gather information from Rodney residents to help Alan ascertain the issues that are important for them individually and the kind of future they want for this region.

ENDS

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