Fresh Faces for the Council Chamber

Fresh faces can be seen in Auckland’s upcoming local government elections, contrary to some commentators’ gloomy predictions of familiarity breeding contempt. The Citizens and Ratepayers (C&R) ticket can point to a number of new, young candidates coming forward to prove it.

In the Waitakere Ranges Local Board area Andrew Higgs and Christopher Penk, both in their thirties, are throwing their hats in the ring for the first time. Sarah Turner, a candidate for the Owairaka Local Board, is even younger at 24 years old.

Each is a product of their generation in the sense that they have combined local upbringing with overseas experience. Mr Higgs worked in London as an MTV director and Mr Penk travelled extensively in his previous career as a naval officer, including to the Middle East in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Miss Turner has also travelled and, like her fellow C&R candidates, she returned full of enthusiasm for her native Auckland.

The C&R youngsters have all managed to combine professional development and community service in the course of their working lives to date. Miss Turner manages and teaches at an early childhood learning centre in the heart of her electorate. Mr Penk can point to having served his country abroad, while Mr Higgs’ CV shows extensive input of his energy and expertise to various charitable organisations.

Each comes to the local government election scene focused on contributing to community life, consistent with the C&R message of positive leadership. As a proud westie, Mr Higgs believes strongly that “if you live in the west, you should be able to work in the west”. Miss Turner meanwhile has a real passion for education, citing “communication, interpersonal and leadership skills” as being “vital” for civic leaders. Mr Penk thinks his fellow Waitakere Ranges citizens will be looking for “a balance between enterprise and environment, as both are vital to the west”.

The trio all agree that C&R’s willingness to back fresh faces will be matched by voters’ willingness to embrace an innovative approach to policy and progress in the Auckland Council.

“Let’s Make Auckland Succeed” – check out www.c-r.org.nz for more information.

ENDS

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