Thank you

I'm down to earth and grateful. Grateful to many of the Community Groups and Organisations throughout the Whangarei District who organised Meet the Candidate Events. These Events were organised and designed around the needs and concerns of those communities or organisations. Many hours planning, preparing, sending out invitations - waiting for responses, advertising and in some instances organising catering.

All it meant for us as Candidates was to turn up and deliver. Whether we were required to talk for 2, 3, or 5 minutes - is not important. Neither is being put on the spot at these meetings to speak or answer questions - without preparation. Skill, adaptability, thinking quickly on your feet.

It is the generosity extended by these Groups that I believe requires public acknowledgement.

These groups rounded up close to or just over 100 people - most times. The largest gathering was the one organised by Northern Advocate who got 500 people to come along.

If i wasn't at two meetings - it means I wasn't invited. There was one meeting I had to decline because my tikanga needs were not going to be accommodated and I would have had to pay $81.40 along with other candidates for a livestream that often doesn't cost anything.

Nevertheless I want to say a big Thank you to:

Sound Inc, NZ Property Institute (Northland), National Referral Group (Whangarei Business Support Networking Group), Democracy Northland, Waipu Business and Waipu Riding Residents and Ratepayers, Whangarei Heads Citizens Assn and Parua Bay Residents and Ratepayers Assn combined,

Whangaruru South Residents & Ratepayers Assoc Inc, Whananaki Beach Assn, Kamo Community Inc, Grey Power, Tikipunga Community Trust, Onerahi Community Association, Tutukaka Coast Residents and Ratepayers Assn, Hikurangi Business Assn, Totara Gardens Retirement Village.

Tauraroa Area School - Year 12 students,

Northern Advocate/The Hits Northland - Forum North Exhibition Hall.