Five candidates are standing to fill the vacant Onepoto General Ward seat on Porirua City Council following the passing of Councillor Mike Duncan. The ward represents a population of 30,400.
Jo Dow, Caroline Mareko, Zac Painting, Siobhan Samuel and Jess Te Huia will contest the by-election following the death of Councillor Mike Duncan in June.
Porirua City Council has published official candidate statements for all five candidates, along with candidate videos for four of them.
Porirua News has reproduced each candidate’s official statement in full below. Candidates are listed alphabetically by surname.
Jo Dow
Dow says her principal place of residence is within the Onepoto General Ward.
Her official candidate statement reads:
My principal place of residence is in the Onepoto General Ward area.
I want to acknowledge the sad passing of Mike Duncan, his whānau, and his service to our community.
I’m running for Mike’s seat because I believe Porirua is a city of real opportunity.
Having lived here most of my life, I love our city, neighbourhoods and communities.
I’ve led planting and rubbish collection projects because protecting our environment and harbour is an investment in future generations.
Porirua must be affordable. Our rates should deliver value for money and be spent wisely on the services we need. That means balancing rates while encouraging investment in local jobs that provide opportunities for young people and help ease cost-of-living pressures.
Government proposes to join regional councils together, so our local voice matters more than ever.
As a parent, Board of Trustees member and community advocate, I’ll stand up for Porirua to ensure people remain at the centre of decisions.
Please support me #1.
Caroline Mareko
Mareko says her principal place of residence is within the Onepoto General Ward.
Her official candidate statement reads:
My principal place of residence is in the Onepoto General Ward area.
I am standing for the Onepoto Ward because I love this community and believe the voices of everyday people deserve to be heard around the council table. My journey has always been about walking alongside others, celebrating successes, and helping remove barriers. Whether in schools and early childhood services, churches, community organisations and services, events and celebrations, my commitment remains the same – to serve with humility, integrity, and heart guided by respect, compassion, service, and a deep commitment to our people. Porirua is more than the place my family calls home. For over 50 years, it has been where generations of our whānau have lived, worked, learned, served, and raised our families. Its people, cultures, and communities have shaped who we are. We are Porirua, and I want to help ensure our city continues to thrive for the generations who will call it home after us.
Zac Painting
Painting says his principal place of residence is within the Onepoto General Ward.
His official candidate statement reads:
My principal place of residence is in the Onepoto General Ward area.
I am proudly Māori and Fijian, and I work as a local high school teacher. I am standing because local government is undergoing significant changes and I want Porirua to remain a city people can thrive in.
As we navigate the possible amalgamation of our region’s councils, I will stand up for local democracy and for Porirua to decide what is best for Porirua.
The way our water services run have changed, and I will work to ensure quality services are delivered while holding the new entity accountable.
I will also advocate for the environment, for a clean harbour and waterways, and support projects that restore our native wildlife and prepare our city for the impacts of climate change.
Public office is a serious responsibility, and I will be an active councillor that takes the time to listen, meet people where they are and make sure all voices are heard.
Siobhan Samuel
Samuel says her principal place of residence is not within the Onepoto General Ward.
Her official candidate statement reads:
My principal place of residence is not in the Onepoto General Ward area.
My name is Siobhan Samuel and I’m standing for local council because I believe strong communities start with strong families. As a lifelong Porirua local, local business owner and mother of 6, I understand the everyday pressures families face – balancing work, raising children, accessing opportunities and building safe, connected neighbourhoods.
For more than a decade, I’ve built businesses that bring people together, create jobs and help others succeed. I want to bring that same practical, solutions-focused approach to council.
I believe every decision should be made with future generations in mind. That means advocating for safer public spaces, thriving local businesses, quality community facilities, better support for our elderly and opportunities for young people to grow and succeed close to home.
My commitment is simple: Always put people first and make decisions that are in the best interests of our community.
Jess Te Huia
Te Huia says her principal place of residence is within the Onepoto General Ward.
Her official candidate statement reads:
My principal place of residence is in the Onepoto General Ward area.
For 25 years, I have been advocating for the people of Porirua, helping whānau navigate life’s challenges.
I work alongside government agencies and community organisations, advocating for whānau, challenging systems that aren’t working, and bringing people together to achieve positive outcomes.
Born and raised in Porirua, I care deeply about the community that raised me. I’ve seen the impact of housing insecurity, rising living costs, and the pressures many whānau face. Those experiences have strengthened my commitment to ensuring people are heard, supported, and connected to the services they need.
I’m standing for council because I want to bring that same advocacy to the council table. I won’t shy away from speaking up, challenging decisions when they aren’t in our community’s best interests, and being your voice around the council table because the decisions made there affect us all. Our community deserves someone who will stand up for them.
Voting papers for the Onepoto General Ward by-election will begin arriving from 14 September.
Completed voting papers must reach the Electoral Officer by midday on 16 October.