Barbara Ireland has been a resident of Waikanae for around 40 years and is standing for the Waikanae Community Board.
“I am pragmatic, innovative and productive. Without a background in council matters I have been asked to set out my thoughts on many Kāpiti Issues.
“Rather than give uninformed opinions, I have chosen to write the attached paper outlining how I assess the relevance of a current issue: Three Waters Policy – see link below:
Why am I standing?
“News and events in New Zealand have often given me cause for concern with an increasing level of frustration. In July I was deciding to vent this frustration and write two papers and set up a website to share these ideas: My Pioneer Policy – for a different viewpoint on future New Zealand.
“My Political Party – for a change to how we govern New Zealand – calling it “The OK Party” (The One Kiwi Party) – with more focus on our “One-ness” than our Differences – yet to be completed.
“When a friend asked that I house sit for August I appreciated the chance of sanctuary – no TV and no car and no company. I travelled by foot, by bus, by train around our brilliant community. I listened often to local radio and in my second week, I heard the call for nominations for Council.”
Background
1980 to date: Arrived Waikanae. Raised family of four. Budget around mortgage of 20% interest. Six months mushroom picker at Rivendell. Six months share milker for 120 cows in Otaihanga farm.
Local work: Travel – Insurance – then Sole Trader of Publishing/Secretarial in Waikanae – 5 years.
Wellington workforce: Legal firm – Publishing Firm – Polytechnic Tutor in Computer Studies.
Prior 1980 NZ: Lived in Timaru, Invercargill and Christchurch. Playcentre Supervisor.
Prior 1980 UK. Hailed from the North of England. Worked at Lever Brothers, Port Sunlight – youngest appointed female supervisor. Sole charge and completion of two major projects for a company of 3000 employees: all by pen, ink and typewriter – no computers or mobile phones.
Why pick Three Waters to comment?
“It does seem to be a big issue raising much public feedback, a good challenge for comment. I could have chosen the much simpler government document: “Aotearoa 2050” which sought public opinion on 15 issues. Check out the issues – would you have prioritised these? – No. 1 was listed “We do not always have safe drinking water.”
The participating public opinions totalled 23,638. Thus 70% of people voting No. 1 meant that around 16,500 people of our population of 5,127,100 prioritised this issue.
The last issue No. 15 “It is too hard to access certain parts of the country.” 30% vote out of 23,638, meaning 7,000 people of our population of 5,127,100 had this priority.
Thus, the 13 page report made up of great graphics with summarised cartoons must have been a large expense to identify exactly what about the year 2050 in Aotearoa?
“Thus I turned my attention to the much discussed issue of Three Waters Reform.” See: https://www.poriruanews.co.nz/2022/08/26/barbara-ireland-on-three-waters-policy/