Labour-aligned Porirua City Councillors Josh Trlin and Geoff Hayward have launched a joint manifesto for the 2025 local elections, outlining an ambitious agenda focused on fairness, climate resilience, and practical community improvements.
Trlin, who currently represents the Pāuatahanui Ward, said the plan builds on feedback from residents and aims to deliver tangible improvements across the city.
“We’re committed to ramping up investment into our core infrastructure, accelerating harbour restoration, and making Porirua an affordable, safe and rewarding place to live,” Trlin said.
Hayward, who was elected to the Onepoto Ward in 2022, said the manifesto also calls for new initiatives that go beyond business as usual.
“There’s important mahi already under way that we need to protect and build on. But we’re also naming some bold priorities for the next term,” Hayward said.
Key proposals include completing the city’s household waste overhaul, including general waste bins, organic collection and better glass recycling. The pair are also calling for stronger local employment through council procurement, and embedding climate adaptation into every project and decision.
The manifesto commits to balancing council’s budget to ensure sustainable rates, advocating for more social housing alongside Mana MP Barbara Edmonds, and expanding Porirua’s urban tree canopy with a pledge to plant one native per resident each year.
The councillors are also promising to hold the city’s Water Charter to account to ensure water remains protected as a public good.
“This is a values-led, solutions-focused approach that puts people first,” Trlin said.