INL Sept 15th Digital Edition

06
SEPTEMBER 15, 2019
Homelink
Carrying voices of
communities to serve
Our Christchurch
Correspondent
Shirish
Paranjape is a
strong advocate of ethnic
representation at various
governance roles so that
voices are heard and
concerns are addressed
appropriately.
He currently
represents the Fendalton-Waimairi-Harewood
Community Board at the Riccarton House and
Bush Trust and seeking re-election.
Eventful three years
Shirish said that the three-year term as an elected
member was very eventful and enabled him to
understand the feelings, needs and aspirations of
people.
“As a resident of my ward for over 17 years and
with multiple touch points with the local community,
I believe that I have been making a difference
in the decision-making process, I am well
immersed and involved in my community through
many avenues including as a Justice of the Peace,
a Rotarian, an active member of Christchurch
Multicultural Council and as an active participant
on web-based forum Neighbourly,” he said.
Shirish believes that the Council Rates should be
kept a level that can be at a manageable level and
transparency and accountability are maintained
in spending ratepayers’ money.
A pledge to the people
“If re-elected, I promise working with the same
passion, integrity, transparency and enthusiasm
that I have demonstrated in the past years, and to
continue to make a positive difference in the lives
of people around me,” Shirish said.
Shirish said that Local Elections provide the
perfect opportunity for members of ethnic community
to try and become representatives of the
neighbourhoods in which they live. New Zealand
not only allows but also encourages participation.
“So why not make best use of it?” he asked.
Local Government Elections
Finding meaningful pathways for children
Addressing
social
inequalities,
finding pathways
for children,
strong ethnic
representation
at elected offices
and community
improvements
are among the ideals that Mitlesh Prasad
of South Auckland is pursuing in his life.
This young man is contesting for a seat
on the Manurewa Local Board and Wiri
Licensing Trust.
Born and raised in Fiji, Mitlesh
migrated to New Zealand in 1987 and
grew up in Auckland’s North Shore and
resided there for 15 years before moving
to South Auckland.
Migrant challenges
A Chartered Accountant by qualification
and profession, he has been a
Trustee at the Manurewa High School, a
post that brought him close to the challenges
faced by the younger generation
in general and migrants in particular.
“I am inspired by the life and work of
my late paternal and maternal grandfathers-
Shiu Prasad and Bisun Sahay
who are widely respected in Fiji for
their contributions to public service and
businesses. My real motivation comes
from my children,” he said.
“I strongly believe that local boards
should have diverse local representation
and currently in Manurewa it is dominated
by largely baby-boomers and a single
political party.”
Respect for Maori
Mitlesh has immense respect for
Tikanga Maori, incorporating Maori
principles such as Manaakitanga and
Kaitiakitanga in his campaign to help
resonate with his constituents.
His key priorities are improving local
roads and infrastructure, protecting our
waterways and natural environment while
ensuring sustainable growth.
Viewing by appointment.
C&R Team for sweeping
changes to Eastern Suburbs
Supplied Content
The Communities and Residents (C&R)
Orakei local board team are full steam
ahead as they approach the local body
elections date on October 12, 2019.
The new team of Scott Milne, Troy Elliot, Sarah
Powrie and Margaret Voyce join incumbent
local board members Troy Churton, Colin Davis
and David Wong.
Each member brings a community vision
and pragmatism to support the constituents
they represent.
People’s ire raised
The key issues facing the board area of 10
Eastern suburbs including Ellerslie, Meadowbank
and Remuera are several fold.
Over the past three years, the profile of Auckland
Transport has raised the ire of many local
residents and recently the unilateral decision to
remove carparks in the busy Mission Bay and
St Heliers town centres caused consternation
amongst business owners. The C&R team will
ensure a voice for local residents and ensure
AT consults on suburban proposals and is held
accountable.
The provisions of the Unitary Plan will be
closely monitored by the C&R team. This will
ensure developments complement the designs
of current established suburban homes and
landscapes. The consent and planning local
board team led by member Churton has been
vigilant in challenging high rise apartments
and other designs such as the recent proposed
Mission Bay shopping development.
Community Development Plans
The C&R team are committed to seeing the
proposed Meadowbank Community Centre
designed, funded and built – to provide a much
needed facility for all ages and capable of
holding community activities and programmes.
The team see this centre as future proofing a
suburban hub for generations to come.
The Glen Innes – Tamaki Drive cycle and
walkway is progressing but not fast enough.
The C&R team will demand more collaboration
and effort from Auckland Council, AT and NZ
Transport to finish all the stages so residents
can enjoy the benefits of alternative access
from the eastern suburbs to the shoreline of
Tamaki Drive. Another key link is the Gowing
“Safer and more inclusive communities,
Investing more on the Town Centre and
surrounding precincts, ensuring that parks
and facilities are fit for purpose and increasing
engagement with the community and participative
decision making are also my issues,”
Mitlesh said.
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David Wong
Drive initiative which will provide access
from the Meadowbank valley side up towards
Eastridge. The C&R team can see the benefits of
residents and students in particular being able
to travel seamlessly to schools such as St Thomas
and Selwyn College and to the shopping mall.
Extensive expertise
Each team member brings a background of
corporate, business, legal and city planning
expertise. Current local board member David
Wong said, “I am impressed with the talents
and skills that the C&R team brings and their
commitment to being representatives of their
community and ensuring the right projects and
the right amount of spend is apportioned fairly
and equitably.”
The team is proud to be supporting the
current local ward councillor Desley Simpson
who is also a C&R wider team candidate. Desley
has been a hard working advocate across all of
Orakei and been a loyal and dedicated voice at
the Governing Body Council table.
Please vote for all C&R team members.