Communities and Residents (C&R) has proudly selected its strong team to stand for the Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board in the 2022 Auckland local elections.
Incumbents Don Allan, Debbie Burrows and Tony Woodcock have been re-selected to stand for the Maungakiekie subdivision of the local board and are joined by elected members Tania Batucan and Tabetha Gorrie, who will contest the Tāmaki subdivision with new candidates Simon Hema and Michael Pepper.
“I’m excited to work alongside our strong team of local leaders who have proven track records of getting things done and championing resident needs. Our local board team of seven have deep roots within the community and are excited at the opportunity to represent Onehunga, One Tree Hill, Oranga, Mt Wellington, Panmure and Glen Innes,” says Maungakiekie-Tāmaki council candidate Troy Elliott.
Debbie Burrows is a current local board member and has lived in Onehunga for over 20 years. She has 15 years of senior management experience and has a reputation on the board for making things happen. Debbie will continue to ensure infrastructure supports housing intensification, smart development of the Onehunga town centre and wharf area, and will advocate for an integrated public transport hub.
Constable Don Allan is a current local board member and has lived in Maungakiekie-Tāmaki for over 30 years. Over the last 12 years, he’s served Onehunga as its local Police Community Constable. Don has championed several safety and crime prevention initiatives, including organising Community Patrol groups and mentoring over 100 Neighbourhood support groups. Don will continue to ensure rates are spent wisely, cleaner streets, better traffic management and reliable council services.
Tony Woodcock is a current local board member and the proud business owner of Onehunga’s Good Home. He lived in Maungakiekie-Tāmaki for over 18 years with his wife and two children. On the board, Tony has called out the constant battles residents face, including congestion and poor community consultation. He will continue to utilise his pragmatic business skills to help ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and deliver what the community wants and needs.
Tania Batucan has lived in Mt Wellington for 24years, calling it home with her husband and two boys. She is the Vice President of the Mt Wellington Licensing Trust and was instrumental in setting up the Mt Wellington Community Patrol and Mt Wellington Residents Association. Tania is a local business owner, focusing on bodywork and mental health support. She will prioritise community safety, easing congestion and better community facilities.
Tabetha Elliott is an elected local board member, living in Mt Wellington with her husband and children. She has spent 15 years running a family-business specialising in telecommunications and served on a range of boards, including Girls Brigade NZ and the Te Karaka Trust. Passionate about youth support, Tabetha will continue to push for playgrounds and community facilities to be of the latest standards and well maintained for the future.
Simon Hema was born and bred in Glen Innes. He lived on Leybourne Circle and Courtland Ave and served Glen Innes as a local Policeman. Simon has held managerial positions both in NZ and abroad in the hospitality sector and is a Stevedore at Auckland Ports. He’s proud about Glen Innes, Panmure and their thriving cultures. Simon will push to improve community facilities, fight for crime and safety, and ensure Tāmaki is enduring for generations.
Michael Pepper is a small business owner and working tradesman as an electrician. He’s lived in Mt Wellington for over 20 years and calls it home with his young family. Having experience with council facilities and recreation areas, Michael understands the need for ongoing local maintenance and improvements of parks, sports clubs and community facilities. He will prioritise this and work to ensure resident needs are met as local town centres grow and develop.
