Central Ward By-Election Candidates

Candidate Profiles

Glenda Barratt - Independent

My principal residence is NOT within the Central Ward area.

With only 12 months left in the election cycle the Central Ward needs a representative like Glenda with first-hand experience and knowledge of Council who will make an immediate positive – and importantly independent – contribution around the Council table. Glenda was a successful Councillor (and Chair) over 12 years including six years as Central Ward Councillor. During that time she played a key role in the revitalisation of civic and community assets while keeping a prudent eye on debt. Over recent months Glenda has been approached by ratepayers increasingly concerned over a divisive Council and a callous disregard for local business. Ratepayers like Glenda are also alarmed at huge rate increases being signalled for the next decade. Council must work together with its communities to ensure the right decisions are made. A vote for Glenda is a vote for Your Voice at the Council Table and strong representation and progress.

Phil Caswell

My principal residence is within the Central Ward area.

Welcome! This is my statement, words of intent, as I put myself forward as a candidate in the Hutt City Central Ward By-election. To the people of our ward, the place in which we live, it’s a great part of Aotearoa.

I want to see where we live and work an open and honest community built by its people, us, to be true in the facts of developing a sustainable urban economy to show hope ahead of difficulty, community and people working together to keep Hutt City as one of the best places to be.

I am standing for the Council, willing and able to help make this happen.

Henry Clayton - Independent

My principal residence is within the Central Ward area.

Local government will face big challenges as the Government undertakes necessary reforms to planning laws and management of water infrastructure. I have great skills and experience to help Lower Hutt through these reforms.

I have been working as a lawyer in and around central government for over a decade. I am thoughtful and always look to understand others’ perspectives and arguments. I can confront difficult trade-offs, make decisions, and get things done.

I have not given up on the goal of home ownership for our young New Zealanders. Lower Hutt is the best place in the region to build modern urban housing, by utilising our excellent train line and flat land. Lower Hutt is a great place to live, and I want us to share it with more families.

It would be a privilege to represent the Central Ward, where I live with my partner and two young kids.

Andrew Fox - Independent

My principal residence is NOT within the Central Ward area.

Andrew Fox has spent his life as a resident of Lower Hutt and Petone.

He grew up in the area and has attended Petone Central School, Eastern Hutt School, and Hutt Valley High School with further education at Massey University.

Andrew has a strong allegiance with the region and currently operates a small, well known business in Petone.

He believes that future prosperity and success for all locals relies on the future of small to medium business’ providing worthwhile jobs for all people.

Andrew is a Christian, is an advocate of enterprise and hard work, and a society which enables those who put in effort to be rewarded, while at the same time helping people in need, be that circumstantial, physical, mental, spiritual or financial.

He sees the Council’s primary duty as being a caretaker for current and future generations wishing to live a life of freedom and prosperity.

Andrea Hilton

My principal residence is within the Central Ward area.

I live in the Central Ward with my husband and two adult children. I have lived in six cities across New Zealand, Lower Hutt being the one I have lived in the longest and in my opinion the best.

To keep Lower Hutt the best for everyone, I believe Council needs to:

• deliver core services,

• look after its infrastructure and facilities,

• justify capital projects by robust business cases,

• be strategic,

• keep its operations efficient and sustainable, and

• spend funds responsibly.

I will help this happen by contributing a unique blend of local government and commercial knowledge. I know the council “system” from working 14 years as the lawyer for a city council, and commercial experience from working in private practice.

I support community interests, having worked at the Community Law Centre, been on a kindergarten committee, a school PTA, and a Community House Committee.

Michael Lulich - Independent

My principal residence is NOT within the Central Ward area.

There’s a lot happening within Central Ward and Lower Hutt. You deserve an experienced Councillor who will advocate strongly for you. Three priorities: Housing: Development is happening quickly. Dozens of houses are going up where there used to only be one. Yes, we have a housing shortage – but we must protect the special character of our inner-city suburbs and ensure intensification is done well and supported by infrastructure. Local Economy: Businesses, especially small businesses, are the backbone of our city. As we continue to emerge from the economic impacts of COVID, I will ensure they have a voice at the table. City Safety: Everyone should feel safe and be safe within our communities. I have been an effective Hutt City Councillor between 2010-2019, and if elected there will be no issue too big or too small. I will always listen and be responsive. I respectfully ask for your vote.

Simon Monrad

My principal residence is NOT within the Central Ward area.

Tēnā koe. The Hutt can be a fine place to live, to raise a family, but it’s not for everyone right now. Inequality has widened, child poverty affects thousands, over 1,000 are homeless in the Hutt, and our climate response has barely got started. It’s time to be bold: to end poverty and build a decarbonised economy. We need municipalised public transport, council housing to end homelessness, a living wage, to empower mana motuhake, keep water public, create community spaces, and tackle the crisis engulfing it all – climate change.

Voting can feel low priority. But we’re on the cusp of an ecological crisis and councillors have noticed. My commitment is to work with them, because in solving it, we make our city a better place to call home. A green transition, a just transition, will make the Hutt truly a community for everyone.

Thomas Morgan - Independent

My principal residence is NOT within the Central Ward area.

However, my first job was in the ward at Avalon TV, living nearby and enjoying all the great things the Hutt has to offer including swimming at the Huia pool. I’ve spent the last few decades working on improvements for community, small and large business, and not-for-profits with countless successful results. I’ve qualifications in management and commercial law and have run my own business. I’m offering my skills and experience for your benefit. The Council is about us, the people-safety, functionality, culture-the basics and also enjoying life! The Melling link, free public transport, CS card discounts, rates redesign, better council communication, Auckland style ferries, busways to Wellington and community safety improvements are initial areas of interest along with supporting the disability sector that I know first-hand. Utilise my fresh and innovative ideas and careful decision making by voting me to represent you at the council table. thomasforcw@hotmail.com

Evelyn Richter

My principal residence is NOT within the Central Ward area.

Born in Nelson. Family moved to Lower Hutt when I was two years old. Educated at Waterloo, Crownthorpe and Hutt Intermediate Schools and Wellington Girls College, night and correspondence schools and adult student at Hutt Valley High School.

Worked in office, factories, nurse in RNZAF. Postwoman for 15 ½ years, 10 of those as Head Postwoman. Five children and brought up two grandchildren. Served on numerous committees from age sixteen, held all executive positions, at least nine as Secretary. 1991-1996 Secretary of Lower Hutt Caring Community Coordinating Committee, having being head hunted by then Deputy Mayor, Betty van Gaalen.

Am the Advocate for Hutt City Grey Power and on committee of Lower Hutt Historical Society, a member of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Petone Women’s Institute and Eastern Hutt Ladies Probus.

Growing up my mentors were Walter Nash, Percy and Mary Dowse and Trevor Young MP.

Ash Roper

My principal residence is NOT within the Central Ward area.

I have lived in Lower Hutt for over 50 years and I have loved the sense of Community in the Hutt Valley, especially while raising my children. Now I’m enjoying it with my Grandchildren. Family is important to me.

I own and run a medium size business doing Fibre and computer work throughout the lower North Island employing about 20 people.

I went to Taita College, played hockey for Naenae Hockey Club and became a life member 10 years ago. I only recently stopped playing when I realised I was not 18 anymore and could not catch the young guys.

I was on the board that built Sportsville at Fraser Park, a great community facility. I am currently helping Stokes Valley RSA on their committee.

Building a better community for people to live in is important. Improve on what we have and bring the people with us on the journey.

Faran Shahzad - Independent

My principal residence is within the Central Ward area.

I was born in Wellington and currently working as a Patent lawyer in Lower Hutt. I studied Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Law at university, where I developed passion for green-technologies and won awards for my eco-friendly start-up.

Lower Hutt is a beautiful community, full of diverse hardworking intelligent people. My aim is to promote a wellbeing which is offered to everyone regardless of their income, social status etc. Crucial services such as affordable housing, efficient public transport, mental health counselling, green spaces etc, need to be levelled up. Our current instruments of services need upgrading for staying updated with time.

I bring work experience from both private/public sectors and if elected, my aim would be to advocate the best outcomes for our community, engage with local businesses, promote services for everyone and achieve a smile on every soul. I have unparallel ambition and all I ask is for your belief.

Colin Wilson - Independent

My principal residence is NOT within the Central Ward area.

The good news: There are more million-dollar homes in Lower Hutt than ever.

The bad news: they often have mortgages just one digit short of a telephone number or, if fully paid for, are often owned by older people living on the government pension. With rates, home insurance, electricity and internet it costs the average homeowner over $20 a day just to get out of bed. That is before they go crazy and want to eat.

The by-election in the Central Ward is a chance for voters to send a strong message that the council must keep costs down and concentrate on basic infrastructure and leave social housing to the government who have the financial resources to build houses. Sporting and cultural grants have got to be distributed fairly and not just to those who shout the loudest.