I am an elected member and Chairperson of the Kaipātiki Local Board and part of the Shore Action team, representing you in Auckland Council. I'm working hard to ensure that your views are heard, local projects are progressed, Auckland Council is held to account, and that you are kept informed of Kaipātiki issues, projects and events.

I am devoted to our community and the North Shore way of life. I was born and raised on the Shore and live locally with my young family.
I have championed many playground, track and signage upgrades; achieved various roading and walkway safety improvements; installed the Manuka Reserve dog park; saved the Highbury Norfolk pine; blew the whistle on many controversial decisions, budget blow-outs and public land sales.
I support building a walking/cycling route around the Kaipātiki coastline; installing shadesails over playgrounds; expanding placemaking initiatives; improving public transport routes; protecting heritage areas and the natural environment; increasing community input into decisions; and an end to closed-door, secret meetings.

Action

Together with my fellow Shore Action team members, we've increased the Local Board's environmental budget, began a programme of installing shadesails over playgrounds, upgraded a number of playgrounds and bush tracks, saved Frank Larking's playboat, pre-emptively closed tracks to protect our bush from kauri dieback, brought back Movies in Parks screenings, saved the Highbury Norfolk Pine, fought against parkland sales, opened workshops to the public, ended ratepayer-funded meals, lobbied Auckland Transport for a clearway on Onewa Road, pushed back on the governing body's encroachment into local board matters, and much more.

Elections

I was first elected to the Glenfield Community Board from 2007-2010, under North Shore City Council, and was Chairperson for most of the term.
In 2010, the North Shore was amalgamated into Auckland Council, and I was elected to the inaugural Kaipātiki Local Board as an independent.
In 2013, I was re-elected to the Kaipātiki Local Board as part of the Team of Independents, along with Grant Gillon and Lorene Pigg.
In 2016, I was re-elected to the Kaipātiki Local Board as part of the Shore Action team, alongside Paula Gillon, Anne-Elise Smithson and Adrian Tyler. I was appointed Deputy Chair for the first half of the term, and Chair for the second half (alternating positions with Danielle Grant).
In 2019, I was re-elected to the Kaipātiki Local Board as part of a larger Shore Action team, alongside Danielle Grant, Paula Gillon, Melanie Kenrick and Adrian Tyler. I was appointed Chair for the term.
In 2022, I was re-elected to the Kaipātiki Local Board as part of a clean-sweep of all 8 positions by the Shore Action team, alongside Danielle Grant, Paula Gillon, Erica Hannam, Melanie Kenrick, Tim Spring, Dr Janet Tupou and Adrian Tyler. I was re-appointed Chair for the term.

Positions held

  • Chair, Kaipātiki Local Board (Mar 2018-present)
  • Deputy Chair, Kaipātiki Local Board (Nov 2016-Feb 2018)
  • Elected Member, Kaipātiki Local Board (2010-present)
  • Chair, Glenfield Community Board (2008-2010)
  • Elected Member, Glenfield Community Board (2007-2010)
  • Local Board Rep, Beach Haven Birkdale Community Project (2023-2024)
  • Local Board Rep, Pest Free Kaipātiki  (2020-2022)
  • Local Board Rep, Kauri Point Centennial Park and Chatswood Reserve Management Committee (2013-2016)
  • Local Board Rep, Glenfield Community Centre Governance Group (2007-2016)
  • Local Board Rep, Northcote Town Centre Business Association (2010-2013)
  • Local Board Parks Portfolio Holder (2010-2016)
  • Local Board Libraries Portfolio Holder (2010-2016)
  • Elected Parent Representative, Beach Haven Primary Board of Trustees (2019-2022)
  • Chair, Bayview Community Centre (2012-2014)

Other roles

Professional work

  • Technical writer, specialising in software and hardware user documentation (Tools: Madcap Flare, AuthorIt, Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, Techsmith SnagIt)
  • Website designer (PHP, MySQL, CSS, HTML, WordPress)
  • Software tester
John Gillon