Now is the time to have your say on who represents your community by voting in the 2022 local elections. Voting closes Saturday, October 8. If you are an enrolled voter, you should have received your voting documents by now. If you haven’t received your voting papers contact the Waikato Electoral officer – Dale Ofsoske, 09 973 5212, dale.ofsoske@electionservices.co.nz.
The Raglan Community Board has nine candidates contesting six seats. Standing for the first time are Michelle Levy, Selena Coombes, Ross Wallis and Jason Marinovich. The current chair Gabrielle Parsons is standing down and Dennis Amoore, Chris Rayner, Kiri Atawhai, Satnam Bains and Tony Oosten are seeking re-election. Check out their campaign profiles and be sure to cast your vote.
Michelle Levy
He uri ahau nō Waikato, Ngāti Mahuta.
Michelle has lived in the Whāingaroa/Raglan rohe for over 20 years. A member of the Raglan COVID Community Response team, she provided a long-term vision to support self-determined health and wellbeing in Whāingaroa. She has worked in community psychology, policy analysis, strategy and governance, with experience across a range of areas in indigenous health and wellbeing, including Whānau Ora and Mahi a Atua. An analyst/writer for kaupapa Māori researchers, she also enjoys creative writing. She works with the Raglan Light Exercise Group and volunteers with EquiPotential in Hamilton, to support the delivery of therapeutic horse riding for tamariki.
Ross Wallis
Kei Okete ahau e noho ana. Ross’ Raglan whakapapa dates back to 1836 with the arrival of the Reverend James Wallis. For the past 22 years, he has been a dairy farmer and more recently an orchardist in Okete. Before that he spent 10 years overseas doing volunteer mission work. He has four grown children and is a grandfather to three. Through his work on the Tear Fund NZ board, Flame Cambodia, Fonterra Shareholders Council from 2013-2020, as Cooperative Culture Committee chair and Raglan Surf Lifesaving Club chair in 2019, Ross brings practical governance experience and training to the role if elected.
Dennis Amoore
A long-term resident in the area, Dennis is passionate about the district’s development. He is strongly in favour and will advocate for community boards having more say in local government, whilst still listening to the needs of the community. His priorities include, ensuring infrastructure development is planned and community develop a detailed plan for infrastructure growth as population grows; fostering community ownership of small projects; monitoring benefits of contracting services used locally; and ensuring a voice for youth, elderly and iwi; supporting the arts and historical group. His background is in business and project management.
Chris Rayner
Chris hopes to continue pushing for the best outcomes for wastewater treatment and disposal. He believes it is critical to harness the best technology to reduce our impact on the natural environment. As a board member, he has worked constructively with a range of community groups and advocated for the Raglan community at council level. Chris believes board members should question council decisions with practical critical thinking. In the last term he advocated to expand the RCB area to include the communities of Te Uku, Te Mata and surrounding rural areas.
Jason Tani Marinovich
A holistic health educator, Jason is also a Raglan Community Radio host. His background is in information technology and tertiary education. Living in Whāingaroa, he values the natural beauty and healing energies flowing from Karioi and the harbour. Recently, he has noticed a dramatic shift in Raglan’s beauty and energy. He believes the community needs people strong in mana and sovereign in being, to nurture and regenerate Raglan’s beauty and healing energies. He believes a holistic perspective that respects the soil, the sea and the sky, will help Raglan remain beautiful and healthy for generations to come.
Kiri Atawhai
Ko Hikurangi te maunga, Waiapu te awa, Ngati Porou te iwi. He uri no Porourangi e mihi ana. Growing up in Queenstown, Kiri experienced first-hand the impact of change and says balancing tourism, infrastructure, environment and housing, threaten a community and ultimately a sense of belonging. A chiropractor running her own business, she is also a member of Raglan Business Chamber, Women in business and Point Board Riders’ board. She brings professional skills, business knowledge, passion for community, and a fresh and younger voice to the role.
Satnam Bains
Satnam appreciate the work involved in retaining Raglan’s friendly and safe environment. He would like to continue the board’s many and varied, current and future projects. He believes the Raglan community is striving to provide a safe, friendly and progressive environment for families, the elderly and challenged groups. A father of two small children, he relates to many issues faced by Raglan residents. Maintaining Raglan’s environment so current and future generations can enjoy the wild life, clean air and green spaces as well as appreciating the community’s history.
Selena Marie Coombes
Selena believes there are no such things as problems, only solutions. Using the community’s kete, she hopes to keep strengthening, growing, supporting and nourishing beautiful Whāingaroa and its people. She brings a fresh, young female energy to the table, and has a huge passion for music and arts. She says wastewater solutions and footpaths are coming, and we need to keep thinking, talking and sharing ideas as our diverse community evolves. Ensuring council decisions are transparent and make sense, she will advocate for community voices to be heard.
Tony Oosten
Tony is proud of the board’s work securing over $3million in funding for projects like the wharf redevelopment, People for Places and Raglan Naturally. He is the Raglan Naturally treasurer, hall committee member and participated in the stormwater and wastewater committees, on top of the regular board council governance meetings. He supports working with Raglan Naturally to deliver community goals especially with families impacted by COVID, housing and employment. Working with council to ensure the wastewater consent is aligned to Raglan’s requirements, and delivering safe pedestrian and cycling routes is a priority.
