Watson and Walker for Auckland Council (2010)

Watson and Walker for Auckland Council

Wayne Walker and John Watson are standing together for the two positions on the Auckland Council for the new Albany Ward.
 
One of the difficulties facing voters in such a huge ward can be finding out a bit about all the candidates who are standing.  Who on earth are they – what have they done and are they worth voting for?

Wayne and John have put together this brochure to tell you a little more about the two of them.  We hope you’ll find it helpful.
Wayne and John are both experienced councillors who’ve stood up strongly for their communities through action not just talk.  They have not been afraid to take on issues that are important to people’s lives and battle the bureaucracy.  If something needs to be done on behalf of the community they’ll do it.
 
"Wayne Walker worked tirelessly with drive and determination as chairman of Guardians of the Coast' to bring the Mayors and Councillors of the North Shore and Rodney together to oppose the Weiti rubbish tip at Okura.  Wayne and his supporters succeeded in stopping this massive landfill while presenting constructive alternatives such as the Redvale Landfill and recycling for the North Shore and Auckland." (Wyn Hoadley, QSO, Mayor of Takapuna 1986 - 1989)

"We’ve called ourselves "Putting People First" because that represents what we’re all about.  Honest, open and fair leadership with community and family values are what we stand for. We believe strongly that this new Auckland Council has an important role to play in helping and assisting the lives of everyone in the community – including families, children, young people and seniors."

"What we think makes us stand out is that we don’t just talk…we work with people in the community to make the council act.  We’ve done it before over a range of issues that have made a positive difference in peoples’ lives."
Over the years John and Wayne have developed an effective partnership both within the Council and out in the community.  Between the two of them they combine a business, educational and sporting background with a determination to get things done. They are definitely not ‘seat warmers’.  At grassroots level they’ve been involved in communities right across the Shore and Hibiscus Coast.  They have widespread family, sporting and work connections throughout the whole ward that help them understand and keep in touch with people.

The new 'Super City' represents a massive change.  There are far fewer councillors and much of the council’s work and assets are now in the hands of separate organisations run by unelected boards of directors.  More than ever we need councillors with the ability, experience and the determination to ensure that the community’s concerns are heard…and acted upon.  

"This is a whole new ball game now.  The Shore will need two strong and united Councillors working together to ensure your voice is heard.  What people don't want to see is their community assets and representation swallowed up by a new council that doesn’t care and doesn't look after you.  We do care.  We want to get on this Auckland Council to make sure that your interests are uppermost in the new council."

"One of the main justifications for the change to the new ‘Super City’ for example was  improved efficiencies and reduced costs to ratepayers.  We’d  hold the new council to that promise."

"We’ll work with whoever is elected Mayor to make this new Council work."

We believe that the two of us in the Auckland Council will form a united and strong combination totally committed to putting the people first.
In the pages that follow we’ll tell you who we are, what we’ve done and what we will do for you in the new Auckland Council.
Your vote will help put John and Wayne into the Auckland Council.  They can make it with your help.  Your vote really does matter​