Firstly, it is an honour to be appointed by Mayor Wayne Brown to chair the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee, one of two committees of the whole council. I look forward to working as a leadership team with the very hard-working and experienced Deputy Chair Cr Angela Dalton, and with my fellow councillors, local board members, IMSB members, mana whenua, staff and most importantly our community.

I am looking forward to using my skills and experience in the environment and climate change space which I led last term, while also being able to learn and lead on issues in the new role that covers Planning, Parks, Community and the wider work programme.

Protecting what is important to our community while planning carefully for future generations is key. Action to reduce our emissions and planning to adapt for the effects of climate change will still be a top priority, following on from our gains last term.

I thank Mayor Wayne Brown and his team for putting their faith in me for this huge role and for working with all of us to form a fresh structure for the next three years. Although we agree on a lot, I know my priorities and ideas may not always align with the mayor and all councillors, but I will be advocating for our community while working collaboratively with my colleagues to get the best for all of us.

It will not be easy, with significant budget pressures from Covid, inflation and interest rates which have put a $270m hole in our planned operating budget, and with workforce and supply chain issues affecting our ferries, buses and projects. We will have to be focused and prioritise what is important; we must work together to ensure we are working for all Aucklanders today and those growing up in our beautiful city while planning for those who will live here in decades to come.

Watching the pōhutakawa turn red, and locals head back to our parks and beaches, I am excited to see summer arrive and see the end of another challenging year for many of you in our community, Aotearoa and the world.

For me personally it has been an overwhelming year, supporting our community through difficult times, making tough calls at the council table and a relentless campaign. On the positive front I enjoyed my first year as a dad and it is the best role I have ever had, Theo is such a great kid and is growing fast. I appreciate the support I received in the election and am enjoying working with our local boards and getting to know the new members.

I hope you have an amazing summer, Christmas, and New Year. Please travel safe, spend time with those you love, have some fun and a nice relaxing break.

See you all in the New Year when the hard work continues as we support our communities on the Shore and improve our city.