ROANA FOR REGIONAL

My Policy Priorities

Environment | Freshwater Protections ↓

Environment

Our lakes and rivers must be safeguarded for future generations. I will advocate for strong freshwater protections, the restoration of degraded waterways, and sustainable land-use practices.

I support working alongside businesses, farmers, growers, and landowners to achieve environmental goals without unnecessary red tape, recognising that we all want to be part of the solution. I also back investment in biodiversity restoration projects that create jobs, enhance natural resilience, and strengthen our connection to the environment.

Fair Rates | Fair. Affordable. Transparent. ↓

Fair Rates

Rates must be fair, affordable, and transparent. I stand for disciplined council spending, a focus on core services, and better value for every dollar collected.

I will support targeted rates only where they deliver clear, measurable benefits to the people who pay them, and I will oppose cost increases driven by waste or poor planning. In times of economic pressure, councils must prioritise needs over wants.

Sustainable Business | Supportive Environment for Local Enterprises ↓

Sustainable Business

A thriving local economy depends on strong, sustainable businesses. I will work to create a supportive environment for local enterprises by reducing unnecessary compliance costs, ensuring infrastructure supports growth, and promoting partnerships between business, community, and education providers to build a skilled local workforce.

I believe in sustainable economic development - growth that balances profitability with environmental and social responsibility - so that our economy supports both present and future generations.

Rural Sector | Support for Farmers & Growers ↓

Rural Sector

Farming is the backbone of our regional economy, and farmers are key partners in protecting our environment. Most farmers have deep connections to the land and are responsible custodians. I will champion policies that recognise and support the critical role of agriculture while encouraging innovation in sustainable land management.

This means working with farmers on practical solutions for water quality, soil health, and emissions reduction, and ensuring regulatory changes are fair, workable, and based on sound science. I will also back initiatives that help younger generations enter farming and rural trades.

My commitments are:
•Support for Farmers & Growers - Work alongside the rural sector to ensure fair regulation, lower compliance burdens, and practical solutions.

•Water Security & Quality - Protect freshwater while enabling reliable supply for farming and communities.

•Climate-Ready Agriculture - Back farmers with tools, research, and funding to adapt to climate change and build resilience - everyone wants to be a part of the solution.

•Rural Economy - Invest in infrastructure, connectivity, and biosecurity to keep rural businesses strong.

•Younger Generation - Support the younger generation to enter farming and rural trades.

Strong, sustainable rural communities mean a stronger Bay of Plenty

Climate Change | Protect Our Communities, Infrastructure & Economy ↓

Climate Change

Climate change is one of the defining challenges of our time. The Bay of Plenty is already experiencing more frequent extreme weather events, flooding and extreme heat. I support practical, evidence-based adaptation and mitigation measures that protect our communities, infrastructure, and economy.

This includes investing in resilient infrastructure, strengthening natural buffers like wetlands, supporting community-led climate adaptation plans, and partnering with industry to reduce emissions while maintaining productivity. I take a pragmatic approach - ensuring we take action that is affordable and science-informed and aligns with our aspirations for the future.

Freshwater | Waterway Restoration ↓

Freshwater

I support practical freshwater protections that restore degraded waterways, promote sustainable land use, and invest in biodiversity projects that create local jobs. By working alongside farmers, growers, businesses, and communities - without unnecessary red tape - we can achieve solutions that are good for the environment and fair on ratepayers.

Practical measures of freshwater protection that I will advocate include:

•Waterway Restoration - expanding riparian planting, fencing off sensitive areas, and restoring wetlands to filter nutrients and improve biodiversity.

•Sustainable Land Use - working with farmers and growers on soil health, nutrient management, and erosion control, supported by science-informed data.

•Smart Regulation - streamlining council processes to reduce unnecessary red tape, while maintaining strong environmental protections that encourage participation and shared responsibility.

•Biodiversity Investment - backing local restoration projects that create jobs, grow community capability, and strengthen our connection to the land and environment.

•Community Partnerships - supporting collaboration between landowners, iwi, businesses, and residents, so that solutions are co-designed and everyone shares the load, and the benefits.

•Climate Resilience - ensuring freshwater management adapts to more frequent floods, droughts, and changing seasonal patterns.

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council has a central role in leading this work. I will champion strong action that safeguards our freshwater in ways that are shaped by our communities, respects those who work the land, and keeps outcomes fair for ratepayers.

Energy Policy | Sustainable. Reliable. Secure. ↓

Energy Policy

The Bay of Plenty stands at a critical point in shaping its energy future. Our households, farms and businesses need reliable energy today, while we also plan for a future powered by renewable energy. Providing sustainable, reliable, secure energy is complex, and geothermal is at the core of the solution.

Rotorua and the wider Bay of Plenty sit on one of the world’s richest geothermal fields. This natural resource provides us with an unparalleled opportunity to generate clean energy, heat our homes and businesses, and support local industries. By investing wisely and working in partnership with iwi, communities, and industry, we can expand the benefits of geothermal energy while ensuring it is managed responsibly.

If elected, I will champion a responsible and ambitious approach to geothermal energy by supporting partnership with iwi and hapū, expanding geothermal’s contribution to our national grid as part of the transition to renewable energy and promoting geothermal heat as a cost-effective and sustainable energy source for homes, businesses, greenhouses, and processing plants. Research and innovation – backing science and proven technologies – are essential as is a focus on supporting local economic opportunities such as encouraging training, new jobs, and enterprise growth linked to geothermal industries.

The principles that underpin my approach to energy security are:

•Keep costs fair and supply secure: Households and businesses deserve affordable energy. We must keep costs manageable and ensure a stable, reliable supply that supports everyday life, farming, and local businesses.

•Lead the renewable transition: We can harness our region’s natural strengths - geothermal, solar, wind, and hydro - to build a sustainable energy future. Local renewable projects will keep both the benefits and the profits here in our region.

•Geothermal at the heart: Rotorua and the wider Bay of Plenty are world leaders in geothermal potential. With smart investment and strong partnerships, we can expand its use for heating, electricity, and industry while protecting the environment.

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council has the potential to champion renewable projects, facilitate partnerships between industry, landowners and investors, set realistic environmental safeguards, and advocate nationally for fair policies that meet the needs of our region.

Our energy future must deliver three things: fair costs today, secure supply tomorrow, and a pragmatic transition to renewable energy for generations ahead.

Working Together for the Bay of Plenty

I acknowledge the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and all those - scientists, environmental experts, policy advisors, and land management officers - who work hard every day to protect and restore our environment. Their dedication helps our lakes, rivers, estuaries, wildlife and people to thrive.

The challenges ahead are significant. Climate change, regulatory reform, and increasing pressure on our land and water demand smart, balanced decisions and strong leadership. We must navigate complex issues where environmental, economic, and community interests intersect - and where the wrong choice can set us back years.

This is where experience counts. Drawing on more than four decades of governance and executive experience, I have worked across education, environment, business, and community sectors. My strength lies in creating effective partnerships and fostering collaboration between groups with different perspectives. I understand the machinery of policy, the realities on the ground, and how to bring people together to get the job done - and done well.

Alignment with BOPRC Long-term Plan Priorities

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council has identified three major priorities for the next three years: regulatory reform, regional recovery, and climate change. These areas reflect the biggest challenges and opportunities facing our region - from meeting new environmental standards, to building a strong and resilient economy to preparing for the impacts of a changing climate.

Each priority demands practical, well-informed action and strong leadership to deliver results that benefit our environment, our communities, and our economy. My policies align closely with these goals, and I bring the experience, relationships, and track record to help Regional Council deliver them well.

1. Regulatory Reform - Freshwater & Air Quality

Council’s top priority is responding to major regulatory changes, particularly new National Environmental Standards for Freshwater and Air Quality. This includes developing policies, consents, compliance systems, and scientific monitoring to ensure the Bay of Plenty meets national standards. Around $16.5 million is allocated over three years to freshwater work alone.

Alignment with My Policy
I strongly support practical, science-informed approaches to freshwater protection. My focus is on working with farmers, growers, and communities to meet water quality targets through sustainable land-use practices, wetland restoration, and improved riparian planting - without adding unnecessary red tape. I believe in solutions that balance environmental protection with viable, profitable land-based industries.

2. Regional Recovery

Alignment with My Policy
Economic recovery must go hand in hand with sustainable growth. I will champion local businesses, tourism operators, and the farming sector by promoting infrastructure investment, reducing unnecessary compliance costs, and fostering partnerships between community, industry, and education providers. My goal is to create more skilled jobs for local people, particularly young people, and to build an economy that supports our communities today and prepares them for tomorrow.

3. Climate Change

With a declared climate emergency, the Council aims to lead practical climate action. This includes building community resilience to extreme weather, supporting emissions reduction initiatives, and protecting infrastructure and natural assets from climate impacts.

Alignment with My Policy
I have led award-winning climate adaptation projects, including the Maketū Climate Change Adaptation Plan, which shows what can be achieved when communities, scientists, industry and councils work together. My approach is pragmatic and focused on actions that deliver real benefits - such as restoring wetlands, strengthening defences against flooding and extreme heat, and ensuring infrastructure is climate-resilient. I believe in acting now to safeguard our environment, our economy, and our people for generations to come.

ROANA FOR REGIONAL

Vote Roana for Regional Council