Lifelong Paekākāriki resident, twenty-year old Jack McDonald (Taranaki Iwi, Te Whakatōhea, Te Āti Awa) has put his name forward to be a voice for Paekākāriki residents as a member of their Community Board.
“If we harness the huge creativity, talent and innovation of our local community, Paekākāriki will continue to punch above its weight in the District,” said Jack McDonald today.
Jack McDonald has been nominated to serve on Paekākāriki’s Community Board by two local community leaders; Fmr Kāpiti Coast District Councillor for the Paekākāriki-Raumati ward, Lyndy McIntyre and current Paekākāriki Community Board Chairperson Janet Holborow, who is also running unopposed in the Paekākāriki-Raumati ward in this year’s elections.
“I’m running in this election to ensure grassroots democratic decision-making is the focus of the Community Board and the Council,” said Jack McDonald. “I will fight for Paekākāriki as their representative at both a community and a district-wide level.”
Mr McDonald, a former Green Party candidate for Te Tai Hauāuru, has also served on Kāpiti College’s Board of Trustees, the National Executive of the Green Party and as a Youth MP. He was a founding member of the Alliance for a Sustainable Kāpiti, and has been a vocal opponent of the Kāpiti Expressway.
“Jack will bring significant political skills and experience in the community to this role, and a much-needed young perspective and voice,” said Lyndy McIntyre.
“Jack will focus on ensuring that the Council listens to the deeply-felt concerns of Paekākāriki residents about the future of our district.”
Other aspects of Jack McDonald’s electoral platform include fostering a strong partnership between the community and tangata whenua, restoration of the local environment and providing opportunities for youth. He has also committed to opposing the installation of water meters and volumetric charging.
