Experienced Councillor To Be Deputy At Waitakere

Penny Hulse is Waitakere’s new Deputy Mayor.

She was unanimously voted into the role at the official “swearing in” of the newly elected Council tonight.

Cr Hulse says she is both “delighted and humbled” to be asked to step into the job left vacant by Carolynne Stone, who did not seek re-election.

Cr Hulse was first elected onto the Waitakere City Council in 1995. Before that she was a member of the Waitakere Community Board and during the early 1990s was heavily involved in a community-based campaign to close the Council-run balefill site (rubbish tip) in her neighbourhood.

“So you could say I’ve had a pretty long apprenticeship. From the community activism around the balefill came a real interest in local body issues. And in the past 12 years I have worked hard to make a positive difference not only within the Waitakere ward, but also city-wide and regionally.”

Cr Hulse is a strong supporter of the “Eco City” philosophy and the concept of sustainability. She is also an advocate of greater community involvement ion Council decision-making.

“It is a constant challenge to get people engaged in Council issues and decisions, but just because that’s difficult we shouldn’t give up,” she says. “We have to continually strive to be more creative in how we engage people and make Council issues more relevant to their everyday lives. Out of that community understanding and involvement come much better decisions.”

Cr Hulse also pays a tribute to the former deputy mayor. “Carolynne (Stone) was a rock to me in the time we served on Council together. She was wise, considerate and articulate. I hope those are qualities I can bring to the job too.”

Mayor Bob Harvey says Cr Hulse is one of the most respected local body politicians in the Auckland Region.

“She is cool, calm, and has an ability to truly listen and take on board people’s concerns. She makes people feel at ease in the often uncomfortable and ‘bitchy’ world of politics.”

Mayor Harvey says that over the years Waitakere City has been well served by “wonderful, strong, women” in the role of Deputy Mayor, pointing to both Mrs Stone and another former Deputy Mayor, Dorothy Wilson.

“Penny and I know each other well but more importantly we respect each other. She is a true, blue, westie who has a passion for this City. Together we will be a fantastic team.”

Ends

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