Whangaparaoa CRRA explains the

If you're still deciding who to vote for, check out the bios for the three candidates standing for election in Whangaparaoa. Around half of Coatesville voters will find they're in Whangaparaoa electorate on 19 September.

Mark Mitchell, National Party

Born on the North Shore, Mark spent his early years living on Whenuapai Air Force Base where his father was a Flight Lieutenant. He later attended Rosmini College in Auckland and worked in the farming sector after leaving school.

In 1989, Mark joined the New Zealand Police, and was a member of the Dog Section and Armed Offender’s Squad.

During his time in the Dog Section, Mark and his dog Czar were stabbed during an armed encounter in Rotorua. Czar made a full recovery, but Mark never regained the full use of his right arm.

After leaving the police, Mark relocated overseas and launched an international business career, including the start-up of his own company specialising in hostage rescue, supply chain security, and risk management. Working closely with the World Economic Forum, he helped establish logistic emergency response teams that provided humanitarian support in countries hit by natural disasters, such as the Philippines, Pakistan, and Haiti. He was also a member of the executive management team of several global companies, including one of the biggest logistics companies in the world.

Mark entered New Zealand’s Parliament in 2011 when he was elected as the Member of Parliament for the Rodney electorate. In 2016, he was appointed as the Minister of Statistics, Minister for Land Information, and Associate Minister of Justice. In 2017, he was promoted to Cabinet and appointed as the Minister of Defence.

Mark has previously served as the Chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee, and Deputy Chair of the Law and Order Committee. Following the change in government in September 2017, he is now the National Party spokesperson for Defence & Disarmament and Sport & Recreation. Mark enjoys the Kiwi lifestyle and spending time with his family in their hometown of Orewa.

For more information, please call Mark Mitchell: 021 057 9501 or email: Mark.mitchell@national.org.nz

Have your say on the future of Rodney

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Our local board has come up with a three-year plan outlining the key initiatives we want to focus on to help our communities thrive and support the recovery from the impacts of Covid-19.

Now we need your help to check if we’ve got it right.

So love local and get vocal about your local community, and don’t forget to provide your feedback before 4pm, Thursday 13 August. For more information, a copy of the draft Rodney Local Board Plan 2020 and to provide your feedback go to akhaveyoursay.co.nz/lovelocal

T o g e t h er w e c a n love local .

Lorayne Ferguson, Labour Party

Lorayne is a retired social services manager who is standing as a candidate for the first time. This is not something she ever imagined herself doing, but when the chosen candidate for Whangaparaoa had to withdraw for personal reasons, she decided to “step up”. Born in Dunedin and raised in Christchurch, she worked in Auckland in the 1970’s. She has been a primary school teacher, probation officer, and a social worker in the geriatric unit at North Shore Hospital.

While in the UK she acquired social work and management qualifications and worked at a senior level managing the full range of community, day care, residential and inpatient services in the area of older people’s mental health.

During this time Lorayne came home often and kept in touch with developments in New Zealand. She was on the first international flight into Christchurch following the earthquake and stayed for three months, caring for her widowed mother during that most difficult time.

She and her Kiwi husband retired “home” to their hectare of bush in Redvale seven years ago and immediately participated in the Predator Free Corridor project with Forest and Bird.

With her husband she has started a modest collection of prints and watercolours by living Kiwi artists.

Lorayne describes her political values as the result of her Scottish ancestry, her working class upbringing, her travels in Asia, Europe and South America along with her social work training and aged care experiences.

She believes in a Labour government which demonstrates both compassion and respect: caring certainly, but not in a “nanny state” way. A good example of this is establishing and then doubling the Winter Fuel Payment.

Having spent most of her professional life working with frail elders and their carers, she feels she can speak for, and to, this growing section of the population. And she wants her campaign to show that it's never too late to dream.

For more information, please call Lorayne Ferguson on 021 267 9661 or email: Lorayne.ferguson@labour.org.nz

Fiona MacKenzie, New Conservative Party

New Conservative has selected Fiona

Mackenzie as their candidate for the revised Whangaparaoa electorate.

A Hibiscus Coaster for 33 years, Fiona is a wife, mother, business person and community volunteer. Her work experience covers the spectrum, with the more formal side including teaching, finance and marketing communications. She has a BA and MBA from Auckland University, was self-employed for 28 years and, with her husband, owns a business on the Shore. Her volunteer work has included non-profit boards, project management for Te Araroa – New Zealand’s walking trail, environmental projects, as well as lobbying to protect our democracy and freedom of speech. Fiona firmly believes that strong families result in happier communities.

“We live in a lovely part of the country, but we have a lot of work to do if our children are to enjoy a united, peaceful and prosperous future,” says Fiona. "Raising children can be stressful and expensive at times. New Conservative wants to help via tax breaks, more affordable housing, good education options, local jobs and ready access to healthcare services. "We also need to strengthen our democracy. Politicians and the bureaucracy need reminding that they work for us – the people. Policies and laws must be simple, practical and fair to all; and they must respect our democratic, human rights.

“Basic infrastructure and services should also be prioritised. Red tape, wasteful spending, tax-takes and empire-building must be kept to a minimum. "But higher quality public services and support depends upon building a strong economy. We need to prioritise economic wellness so we can maintain a healthy population and environment. Linking MPs’ salary increases to the average wage might help remind them of this!”

For more information, please call Fiona Mackenzie on 0274 978-839 or email: Fiona.mackenzie@newconservative.org.nz