Bethlehem General Ward candidates

Apaapa, Charlene 

Candidate details

Phone: 0225739760
Email: Charlene.Apaapa.Bethlehem@gmail.com

Candidate profile

My principal place of residence is not in the Bethlehem General Ward area.

Tēnā tātou, ko Charlene Apaapa tōku ingoa nō Tauranga Moana. If we vote for the same people, we'll get the same result. Our previous council failed to improve their relationships and consider the impact on our communities. I seek transparency and accountability at a bare minimum. As a born and raised Tauranga resident, I'm proud of my Ngāti Pango hapū and New Zealand European heritage. I'm passionate about the continuation of democracy to our city and willing to listen to your desires and wishes for our hapori (communities). With experience working alongside diverse communities, I'm committed to flexible co-operation and expert advice. Currently seeking admission as a lawyer, I've completed my bar exams. I'll listen to you, and serve as a checks and balance system for our interests. I ask for your support - join me in Bethlehem.
N āku noa
Tēnā rā tātou katoa!

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Archibald, Shelley

Candidate profile

My principal place of residence is in the Bethlehem General Ward area.

Growing and changing rapidly, Tauranga is a nationally important metro city with increasing diversity and changing ethnicities. Residents deserve a high performing council acting in their current and future best interest. Put simply, I support a vision where Tauranga's present and future residents, their families, businesses and communities thrive. If elected, I'll engage regularly with residents, listen to understand community views and be their voice while considering wider community needs in council decision-making processes. I prefer exercising well-informed judgement versus opinion and communicate honestly with transparency. An experienced senior executive in finance, previous business owner, academic mentor, and recently involved in Census and General Elections, I'm no stranger to good governance. I understand challenging responsibilities, monitoring performance against strategic objectives, prudent use of resources, and adherence to legal requirements. Developing diverse relationships across multiple contexts is essential, including The Treaty of Waitangi advocacy and working collaboratively with all group representatives.

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Auva’a, Felicity Jane

Candidate profile

My principal place of residence is in the Bethlehem General Ward area.

I'm family focussed with passionate advocacy for Tauranga Moana's betterment. I bring energy and leadership with 20 years' experience in local government (District Councillor, Local Board rep), and business owner.

I will represent Tauranga's interests, challenges, and aspirations effectively with a track record of community engagement, serving on school Boards of Trustees, Crime Watch, Neighbourhood Support board rep. A teacher and music specialist, producing Carols on the Waterfront, I value diversity and social cohesion.

Forward-thinking infrastructure, well-designed housing intensification and essential services are vital for a thriving Tauranga. If elected, will prioritise initiatives that support local businesses and stimulate economic growth, like Central City upgrade, improve entry/exit points for Tauranga, ease traffic congestion, and provide sustainable and safe facilities and parks for all ages.

I am a team player, action-oriented leader, with integrity and business acumen ready to serve you.

Vote Felicity Auva'a, a fresh voice bringing action with experience.

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Gilchrist, Darren

Candidate profile

My principal place of residence is in the Bethlehem General Ward area.

Tauranga's natural beauty, inviting climate and strategic location make it New Zealand's best city to live in. However, pressure on infrastructure due to population growth, along with increased crime and rising living costs, threaten the quality of life for many residents. The Council needs to focus on providing critical infrastructure and core services, keeping rates increases to a minimum while reducing debt. With a masters degree in engineering management, along with years of engineering and commercial management experience, I believe I have an unique skillset for addressing these pressing issues. My family has strong links to the local community - including Bethlehem College, Bethlehem Baptist Church and Otumoetai College. I enjoy running, and can often be found running around the inlet, up the mount or refereeing football.

If elected, I'll endeavour to ensure Tauranga remains a vibrant, affordable and sustainable city for not only current residents, but also future generations.

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Hodgson, Gerry

Candidate profile

My principal place of residence is in the Bethlehem General Ward area.

I am standing for a seat on the Tauranga City Council in the Bethlehem Ward. I live in a retirement village. I have served on the TCC on two earlier Councils. I'm experienced (6 years on Council in which 16 of my objectives were successful). I am an architect, urban planner and conservationist. I have planning skills (12 architecture awards) am enthusiastic (l have submitted many planning submissions to Council over the years) I want to be your forward-thinking Councillor with technical skills and some good ideas. Policies I am interested in and could contribute are reducing traffic congestion, new housing, planting of many more trees for carbon capture, the cost of Compliance and to use technology to use many of Natures resources such as solar energy capture, rainwater capture, conservation of fertile land. I wish to be part of a co-operative team with other Councillors and with Senior Staff.

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Nagels, Jos

Candidate profile

My principal place of residence is in the Bethlehem General Ward area. I am also standing for Mayor.

Visionary Accountable Governance
Arrived Tauranga 1976. Civil Engineering career encompassed highways, tunnelling, rail, City roads, traffic, sewer, stormwater, contracts, designing and reports. Last 20 years as Solar engineer forged own business winning 2019 Supreme Sustainability Award. Tauranga needs 21st Century unified strategies reflecting housing, accessibility, robust transportation enhancing future liveability, greater equity and wellbeing, continually ensuring healthier planet. Priorities demand transitioning from entrapment of 'rigged' 1950's Total Road Dependency, avoiding outmoded, problematic, expensive urban sprawl by densifying localities. Utilising existing Rail corridors - An 'Omni-Solution' of multimodal passenger Rail (electrified) with city Light Rail added - opportunely mostly solves congestion, pollution, emissions, housing, employment access, sustainability, increases community happiness conveying extremely efficient long-term economic, environmental, social benefits. Roads less busy. Holistic issues of plastic, waste, enviro-degradation needs serious action.

For Greater Public Good - Visionary leadership, common sense, pragmatic focus on better enduring outcomes.

Our future is a collective responsibility. Vote wisely.

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Rakoia, Bevan

Candidate details

Phone: 0274612127
Email: Bev_a_lev@yahoo.com

Candidate profile

My principal place of residence is in the Bethlehem General Ward area.

Born in Tauranga and proud of my Cook Island heritage. I am committed to bridging the gap between diverse communities and ensuring all voices are heard and valued. With a deep understanding of the vast challenges around transportation, regional and international tourism, volunteer community organisations and Migrant and Pacifica relationships, I recognise the critical need for inclusive infrastructure development that serves all residents regardless of age, capacity or background. I am determined to advocate for responsible governance and equitable resource allocation. I can champion the voices of Migrant and Pacifica communities and will leverage my governance expertise in youth leadership, health, social wellbeing and sports to foster connected communities. There is a need for resilience where every individual feels empowered and included, where infrastructure reflects our collective values and aspirations and where opportunities for growth and prosperity is accessible to all.

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Robson, John

Candidate profile

My principal place of residence is in the Bethlehem General Ward area. I am also standing for Mayor.

Managing growth is Tauranga's, and consequently, the Bethlehem ward's no.1 issue. For twenty-plus years, Tauranga's planning and funding mechanisms have enriched developers and impoverished the city, yet these mechanisms remain unchanged in the new 2024-2034 Long-Term Plan (LTP).

Worse, this LTP fails to fund essential transport and waters infrastructure while borrowing hundreds of $millions to spend on extravagant nice-to-haves, resulting in city debt tripling to $3billion by 2034; unsustainable debt that will see Tauranga's residents increasingly rated out of their homes.

Stopping this madness requires a vote for independent candidates who are capable of, and committed to, changing Tauranga's planning and funding mechanisms, and thereby delivering a sustainable LTP that prioritises cost-effective delivery of essential infrastructure.

My private sector career before retiring at 40, and the public record since I was first elected in 2013, shows that I am one of those candidates.
e: john@clearthink.net; w: www.johnrobson.nz; m: 021443703

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Schuler, Kevin (Herb)

Candidate profile

My principal place of residence is in the Bethlehem General Ward area.

Bethlehem is a diverse and vibrant community for every age and stage. Michelle and I raised our five children here and love it.

Teamwork: Our city is on the move and needs a united and decisive leadership team driving it forward. We can't afford the division and dysfunction that plagued our past. My experience shaping and motivating teams to the highest levels
will help achieve this critical focus.

Trust: I will advocate for Bethlehem and work constructively for Tauranga. I bring sound business knowledge and will strive to achieve value for your money as we grow our city; cost control is crucial for Tauranga's success.

Transparency: As a sports coach and former All Black, performance and delivery matters - every day. I will be accountable and accessible to our ward as your Councillor and work hard to make Tauranga an even better place for us all.
Vote Kevin Schuler #1

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