Kāpiti has been home to me for 25 years. I'm originally from Malaysia. The saddest and most joyful day for me was when I became a New Zealand citizen. Saddest because Malaysia, my original home, does not accept dual citizenship so I had to surrender my Malaysian nationality. I'm thankful the Kāpiti Coast has been a blessing on my family. Claire and I have three children all schooled locally. Our youngest Ari is studying in Invercargill while Jessie and Ra are now pursuing careers overseas.
I have a Masters degree in Political Science from Victoria University and am a qualified RMA Hearing Commissioner. As a journalist for the Kāpiti Observer and Kāpiti News for 16 years, my reporting covered business, environmental, Maori and especially council matters. While investigative reporting is rare in community newspapers, I was known to push the boundaries. I have a very good understanding of local issues. I was elected to council for two terms and have had the privilege of being your Mayor for three years. This has given me a depth of experience to help navigate Council, in partnership with our communities, through the changes Kāpiti is, and will, go through over the next three years.
I want to continue the key areas of work I have started.
The 22,400 strong Community Hospital Petition has created a momentum for the community to work with CCDHB and MidCentral Health to deliver services closer to home. This is not only a health issue but also an economic one. Access to health services is a key consideration for seniors wanting to retire here and young couples wanting to raise children on the Kāpiti Coast.
The second question young couples ask before a decision to move to Kāpiti is the quality of our schools. I'm a trustee of the Jackbord Charitable Trust that's developing pathways of digital education from primary schools to secondary and on to university. I want Kāpiti's schools and colleges to be cutting edge centres of excellence.
On the environmental front, years ago I initiated the formation of The Waikanae Estuary Care Group. I have continued to work directly with the Minister of Conservation, to support the restoration of the Waikanae River from its mountainous catchment to the sea. Minister Eugene Sage has now included the Waikanae River on a list of 14 national waterways able to access a $76m funding pool. The Waikanae River is not only an environmental and cultural asset it also sustains the economy and health of our communities. I thank the 20-odd river groups working together with KCDC, DOC, GWRC and iwi on this vision. I want to see this progress.
On the economic development front I facilitated the amazing Tony Henderson start his PopUp Business workshops in Kāpiti. Helping more than a hundred gain confidence to start their own businesses.
My biggest win here for Kāpiti has been my successful lobbying of Minister Kris Faafoi and direct appeal to Minister Shane Jones to include the Kāpiti Coast to those eligible for the Provincial Growth Fund. Every one said Kāpiti was part of Wellington and, therefore, not eligible. We made it happen. A total of $3.3m has been invested in two projects. More are in the pipeline.
These are just some of the things I've helped make happen. With the opening of our expressways stretching from Otaki to Wellington we are looking at some challenging times. You need an experienced person with a proven track record of marshalling a team to provide that leadership.
Contact: Mob: 021 023 13905 Email: guru@ourkapiti.nz Website: OurKāpiti.nz