Three years ago, in our September issue of 2016, I interviewed Jennifer McKenzie as a new person putting her name forward for the local board. She was duly elected in October of that year and has served the past three years as a hard working member on the board. She is standing for re-election as a member of George Wood’s team in 2019. I put these questions to her about life on the Devonport Takapuna Local Board and her plans for the next three years.
AIDAN BENNETT: Jenn, sum up for me your first three years as an elected Devonport Takapuna Local Board in one sentence...
JENNIFER MCKENZIE: ... a whirlwind with lots of opportunities to meet awesome people in our community!
AB: What are the key things you are proud of achieving in your first term?
JM: I have built strong relationships with staff and officers which is very important to getting anything done. I am proud of our Local Board Plan (feels so long ago!) and the number of important things we’ve achieved including; securing funding and work on Lake Road, working with our community on Unlock Takapuna and the Gasometre Car Park, simple things like; toilets, sunshades, playgrounds, pedestrian crossings and empowering our community to take action.
AB: How do you feel the Auckland Council and Local Board system is working for the community?
JM: It’s always a struggle but I like to keep an open mind to represent and reflect different points of view in our community. I use this power to advocate and by having strong relationships with the Governing Body (all Councillors) I have been able to positively influence decision making to get the best for our local board area.
AB: What are the key things you are keen for the Devonport Takapuna Local Board to achieve if you are elected to a second term?
JM: Continue to get Lake Road – Esmonde Road moving, more focus on our environment especially Wairau Estuary and our beaches, support our local business associations, continue to fight for accessibility to play spaces for everyone in our community and champion local youth projects!
AB: What have been the frustrations during the three years, 2016 through to now?
JM: Our Board hasn’t been as focused on the Local Board Plan (which we all signed off) so sometimes we don’t work as collaboratively as we can. I have also found it challenging to be a younger female as often I am not treated with the respect I believe we all deserve.
AB: Why should Channel Magazine readers vote for Jenn McKenzie and members of the George Wood team?
JM: We are a positive team looking to the future. As a 31 year old, I am aware of the decisions we make today are the decisions we leave for our future generations and hopefully I am still here to see them in many decades to come!
Visit: www.teamgeorgewood.org.nz
