Wayne Walker

Council experience

• 13 years experience as a Councillor – 3 on the Auckland Council
• Member numerous committees including:
  • *Auckland Plan, *
  • *Tenders and Procurement, *
  • Parks and Heritage (deputy chair)
  • *Economic, *
  • *Audit and Risk, *
  • *Hearings, *
  • Environment and Sustainability (**chair)
  • *Social and Community, *
  • *Strategy & Finance, *
  • *Regional Development and Operations, *
  • Accountability and Performance.

Family connections

I’ve lived in the Albany Ward since the early 1980’s and my wife Julie for even longer. Our children attended schools in the ward at Whangaparaoa, Westlake Boys and Kristin.

Education

Bachelor of Commerce in business, organisation and project management, planning commissioner.

Business

• Previously Project Manager for large water quality and conservation projects
• Retail garden centre owner/manager
• Author local landscaping publications and feature articles
• Product design and manufacture

Sporting connections

• I play interclub tennis in the North Shore competition
• Past football coach and committee member

Recent achievements

• 2011 National Champion for Toastmasters Impromptu Speaking
• Member Hauraki Gulf Forum
• Led successful campaign to enable tankwater properties to have metered charging of wastewater
• Featured on TV, radio, papers on a variety of issues including:
  • High-rise
  • Auckland’s air quality and recycling programmes
  • Initiated Auckland ‘Thriving Neighbourhoods Conference’ and ‘Green Growth Symposium’

Community

• Past member Community Patrols
• Ratepayers and residents association president
• Community trustee
• Past founding chairman ‘Guardians of the Coast’ that battled and won against the largest landfill in NZ at Okura.

Wayne’s Track Record on Council

In this first term of the new Super City Wayne Walker has worked tirelessly in a demanding role that combines local and regional representation and portfolio responsibilities.

“All the previous Councils did everything differently – so everything requires a complete re-think to come up with the best solution. For me that’s all about ‘putting people first’.

“One size doesn’t fit all. I’ve been outspoken and challenged Council positions on high-rise where it doesn’t fit – like Browns Bay, Milford and Orewa. When needed I’ve highlighted this and other issues on television, radio and newspapers, working collaboratively with community groups to make change for the better.”

“Across a huge number of decisions on many important Council committees I believe I make the right call – for the communities I represent and for Auckland. I’ve been a strong champion for funding and control of sport in Auckland by Aucklanders and our existing sporting bodies like Harbour Sport. The same goes for transport issues, heritage protection and planning. You need a councillor like me to stand up against government takeovers and to battle for Auckland’s fair share of funding and decision-making and the Albany Ward’s fair share.

As chair of Environment and Sustainability and deputy Parks and Heritage as well as a member of almost every committee I have advocated strongly on issues that matter for the Albany Ward – especially on public transport, roading improvements, fair rates and charges.

I fight on your behalf in Council for things that matter like fair funding for community organisations across Auckland, fair and democratic representation, access to information and informed decision-making, accountability, cost savings and effective project management, clean streams and beaches, improved air quality, funding for stormwater to prevent flooding and property damage, and much more.

I make myself available and always front on issues with an up-front, honest approach.

I walk the talk, making cost savings wherever I can. I do not charge council for vehicle use and I supply all my own gear at my cost to fulfil my role. I am frugal to say the least.

As an independent councillor my commitment is to you. I ask myself what would you want me to do. What is important to you.

This first term has been a huge one drawing on all my skillsets and experience. I believe you have a councillor who is thoroughly up to speed across every part of Council, equipped with the drive, talent and determination to do the best they can for you, full time, full on. I give you my pledge to work for you in your best interests.

What others say about Wayne:

“Wayne has been a staunch advocate for saving our historic heritage at a time when it is coming under severe threat from intensification and as deputy of Parks he has consistently pushed for parks and reserves to keep pace with Auckland’s growing population”

Auckland Councillor Sandra Coney

“Wayne is a champion for sport on the Auckland Council. He pushes for more playing fields, wants more young people active in sport and local sports clubs and organisations getting their fair share of funding. Sport in Auckland needs Wayne on the Council.”

Auckland Councillor Sir John Walker