Column by Porirua Mayor, Anita Baker
Is someone you know Porirua’s next Councillor? Maybe it’s you.
The local body elections are coming up in October, and as I prepare to stand again for
Mayor, I want to encourage you, or someone you know, to think seriously about
putting your name forward for Council.
Now, I won’t sugar-coat it. Local government is in a tough spot across the country. Years
of deferred infrastructure investment are catching up with us. The cost of maintaining
and upgrading core services, water, roads, public spaces, is rising fast. At the same
time, we’re trying to keep rates as affordable as we can for households already feeling
the squeeze. It’s a balancing act, and not an easy one.
Layer on top of that a sometimes toxic online climate, where a small but loud group of
critics target elected members relentlessly, and it’s understandable that some people
might hesitate before stepping up.
So I get it, I really do, if the idea of running for Council doesn’t sound hugely
appealing.
But let me say this: it’s still one of the most rewarding and worthwhile roles you can take
on. If you care about your community, if you want to make a real difference, there’s no
better way to do it.
When I first joined Council, I didn’t quite know what to expect. And over the past six
years as Mayor, I’ve had more eye-opening, humbling, and genuinely inspiring
experiences than I could have dreamed. I’ve met so many incredible people, residents,
community leaders, business owners, rangatahi, kaumātua, whose perspectives and
passion have blown me away. I learn something new every week. And I’m constantly
reminded how much potential this city has when we work together.
Sure, the challenges are real, but so is the opportunity. To shape the future of Porirua.
To advocate for your neighbourhood. To help us grow in a way that’s sustainable,
inclusive and resilient.
Most of my Council colleagues are also standing again, and like me, I think they’d tell
you that the positives far outweigh the negatives. We all came into this because we care
about our city, and because we believe in what it can become. And that’s what gets us
through the tough moments.
So if you, or someone in your whānau, your workplace, your sports club or your
church, is passionate about Porirua, has strong values and a collaborative mindset,
now’s the time to step up. Or support someone else to take that step.
Our city is full of good people. We need some of them around the Council table.
Let’s make sure we keep Porirua moving forward, together.