MEDIA RELEASE
Friday, 24 August 2007

Hands up for Hera Naera in Rotorua elections

Hera Naera has put her hand up for the Rotorua District Council –after a local group approached her to get in there and make some much needed changes.

This unassuming grandmother recently became known in local politics for speaking out about the impacts of the proposed airport expansion, and spearheading a Human Rights claim on behalf of Ngāti Uenukukopako, a sub tribe located in the North Ward where she is standing

“Ngāti Uenukukopako have been prejudicially impacted. I don’t believe any community of Rotorua should have to suffer such treatment and I will fight for all other communities in the North Ward, the same way, and with the same energy and passion” Mrs Naera says.

The empowerment of North Ward communities, sustainable management of their resources and a quadruple bottom line are the key principles she would be striving for.

“Put simply, if the people of the North Ward want an economically, culturally, socially and environmentally balanced Rotorua then I’m prepared to help them achieve that.”

As the next major growth area for Rotorua, Hera believes it is essential that the people of the North Ward are listened to and their needs accounted for.

Just some of the specific issues she intends to focus on are:

- safe neighbourhoods
- health of our lakes and environment
- energy efficient homes and communities
- zero waste technologies to reduce, reuse and recycle
- employment opportunities by supporting local business
- safe, clean transportation alternatives

Hera has a background in resource management and business ownership. She was raised in Rotorua and her first school was Rotokawa.

ENDS

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