Andrew Williams

Looking after the communities of Auckland

Independent Progressive Leadership

I have had one term's experience as mayor of New Zealand's 4th largest city, North Shore City, and I believe I have been very successful in that role. Prior to that I had experience as a city councillor (2001-2004) and community board member (2004 - 2007). I am also a North Shore Hearings Commissioner and as such have added knowledge of the regulatory side of council and all that is involved in the resource consent processes.

My previous career dating back to 1977 in international trade adds the business dimension to skills that I would bring to the mayoral role. For nine years I was the Trade Commissioner for Belgium and Luxembourg, and included extensive consular and diplomatic activities as the Honorary Vice Consul of Belgium. I find that the trade and negotiations experience I have had are most helpful in my mayoral discussions, helping to resolve many situations that need a workable outcome.

Reducing Rates:

2007: Andrew's Mayoral Campaign Statement:

North Shore City continues to have one of the highest residential rates increases in the Auckland region at 6.9% in 2007-2008 (7.4% including the Museum and MOTAT). The council is projecting 8.1% average increases per year compounding over the next 10 years.

Graph

In 2006, after the rates had been set at 9.5%, our community was shocked to hear the Mayor George Wood state that should people not be able to afford the rates then perhaps they could consider selling up, downsizing and moving on. I will not support huge rates increases in the future and I will advocate for a system to cap the rates for seniors and pensioners on fixed incomes.

2010: Andrew’s Delivered Outcome:

In the first year as Mayor we reduced the rates increase to 5.9%, while still maintaining full council service levels and delivery of outcomes expected of our community. We further reduced the rates to 5.5% the following year.

2008-5.9%
2009-5.5%
2010-5.5%
2011-5.7%
2012-5.6%
2013-5.6%
2014-5.6%
2015-5.5%
2016-5.5%