Popular Paraparaumu Ward Councillor Martin Halliday is asking for your vote in the upcoming local body elections, as he announces his campaign bid to be Kāpiti’s next Mayor.
During his last campaign Mr Halliday made a firm commitment to listen and bring the community’s voice to the Council table. He has proven himself to be an active advocate for the community’s views on key issues and policy.
“Attending Community board and committee meetings across the district and properly engaging with Kāpiti residents has helped to keep me informed about what the local concerns and issues are in our different townships, says” Mr Halliday.
He says he has also made good on his promise to be accessible to his community.
“Any individual or collective/group who has reached out to me for help has been listened to, and I am making enquiries on their behalf, reporting back, mediating and following matters through to resolution.”
He says this open and proactive approach has come as a welcome surprise to many in the community and speaks volumes about the attributes he would bring to the Mayoralty.
Mr Halliday says of his first triennium,“It has been a privilege to represent my community in what have been very challenging times. A full time commitment has helped enable good progress to be made towards the stated goals from my last campaign.
“Addressing housing, landing the economic development strategy and independent board, climate and sustainability embedded into council processes, Kāpiti Community Centre and Waikanae Library budgeted for, the ongoing battle against the contentious Gateway development and its excessive price tag and age-friendly communities being incorporated into the positive ageing strategy update to mention a few.”
Mr Halliday says he will bring strong business acumen and community insight to the Mayoralty.
He says priorities for the next triennium are: “Developing communication, trust and partnership between Council and our local community, collaboration and teamwork between Councillors and with Council Management, addressing issues with regulatory process and providing a strong voice for Kāpiti in Central Government reform. Affordable housing, cost of living pressures, including the burden of continuously rising local body rates, climate and sustainability are all ongoing issues.
“Building strong relationships with the new Health Authority to follow on from Kāpiti’s 20,000 strong hospital petition so Kāpiti is well served in provision of health services. Ensuring both Te Newhanga Community Centre and Waikanae Library projects are delivered, and the incorporation of the four well-beings, are all key issues that I believe need to be addressed.”
“Enabling private enterprises such as Wharemauku working group whose project includes stream regeneration, a central park and Whalesong, which will create an environmental, educational, artistic and cultural exploration hub which connects with existing cycle/walkways, our Library, Civic Centre, shops and our proposed new Community Centre are important,” says Mr Halliday.
“I will be a Mayor that will go the extra mile, treat individuals and collective groups as important and prioritise listening, ” says Mr Halliday
“I have proven myself to be a man of my word, to be available for my community and to stand up for the underdog. I look forward to engaging with you, my community, in the leadup to the elections.”
