Running for Impact

Session Outline:

Gain insights into the essential role of local councils, what they do, and how they shape our communities. This session will cover key responsibilities, decision-making processes, and how councils impact everyday life. We’ll also explore the differences between city councils, district councils, regional councils, and unitary authorities.

Running for local government is about making a real difference. Discover successful strategies to navigate challenges, connect with your community, and drive positive change. Whether you're passionate about infrastructure, the environment, social issues, policy, advocacy, or leadership, this session will show you how to make a meaningful impact and excel as a local government leader.

These were your speakers:

Brent Barrett

First elected in 2016, City Councillor Brent Barrett works and votes to help make Palmerston North a future-ready city where everyone thrives. With a background in environmental advocacy and continued professional involvement in agri-science, Brent brings long term, solution-oriented thinking to his work representing the city’s constituents. His main interests include transport and the environment, with a fair sprinkling of social justice. In responding to the climate and ecological crisis we face, Brent is working to build consensus and deliver practical climate action at the local level.

Hikitia Ropata

Hikitia Ropata, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Porou, is currently the Executive Chair of the Āti Awa Toa Hauora Iwi Māori Partnership Board. Hikitia has a public policy background and has served as a senior public servant at central and local government levels. She is currently an elected Regional Councillor for Greater Wellington Regional Council Hikitia, representing the Porirua-Tawa constituency. Hikitia brings with her a broad range of knowledge and expertise across a number of portfolios including environmental, Tiriti o Waitangi, education, health and social policy. She has a particular interest in disrupting and indigenising our current vocational education system. She hopes to enable Iwi to influence systemic change, as well as assist Tāngata Whaikaha, Pacific Peoples and older people looking for career change and development.

Julie Fairey

Julie has been an elected member with Auckland Council since 2010, when she was first elected to the Puketāpapa Local Board in Mt Roskill. During her fifteen years, she has been a Chair and Deputy of a Local Board and various council groups. Since 2022, she has represented the ward of Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa which covers about 180,000 people on the west of Auckland’s central isthmus. Although her favourite colour is blue, she is part of left-leaning City Vision, which brings together Labour, Greens and community independents to stand collectively rather than compete. Julie has been involved in political activism since she was a teenager, including education, worker and feminist issues.

Watch the webinar recording here: