Chris Kirk-Burnnand
I have lived in Porirua for over 40 year, raised my family here and am passionate about our community.
I have Chaired Whitireia Polytechnic, Chaired fundraising for Pataka and the Aquatic Centre, lead establishment of, Life Education Trust North Wellington, Whitireia Foundation and Porirua Youth Awards. I currently contribute to several charities within Porirua.
I have made many submissions to Porirua City Council and believe that for our people to prosper we need City Councillors who are able to provide strong, research-based leadership and understand their governance responsibilities. In my view we are not getting this!
- I believe the current PCC long term plan is bad for low- and single-income home owners in Porirua.
- I believe that PCC high rates mean an average ratepayer may soon be paying over $1200pa more than for a similar value home in Lower Hutt and that this is bad for our society because it unfairly hurts those that are less well off.
- I Believe our current high rates are limiting commercial investment that would lead to job growth.
- I believe that with better leadership at Councillor level, and with an Executive who is able to provide services at costs similar to the other 6 urban cities in New Zealand we can better meet the needs of all ratepayers.
- I believe in building a city where all residents can live with respect, follow their dreams, get good schooling for their children and find jobs that suit their skills.
- I believe that PCC has adopted policies that exclude those not so well off and favour those with wealth and high incomes, excluding the poorer from home ownership.
- Such policies are bad for us all and will lead to a split society where many cannot prosper, and those poorer people will be forced into poverty.
If you wish to comment on my articles, or wish to have me speak at Resident Assn meetings, Service Club meetings, Churches or Marae please email me at [email protected].
Porirua Economic Development Group
The Porirua Economic Development Group (PEDG) comprises current and former company directors and councillors, chief executives, bankers, chartered accountants and economists with an ongoing interest in and the effect of local government on Porirua residents and businesses.
Established in 2011, PEDG has made submissions on Porirua City Council (PCC) annual and long-term plans. We encourage and seek:
- Council operations that comply with principles specified in governing legislation;
- Councillors making high-quality decisions and associated allocation of scarce resources through a balanced budget process;
- A focus on essential services, such as core infrastructure, rather than on non-essential services
- Limiting the annual increase in rates to manageable levels for all sectors of the community, ideally through productivity gains, but also adjusting service levels accordingly.