|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Less than a week on from her election to the Franklin Local Board, as the new Wairoa Subdivision representative, Clare Alder is already getting down to business.
The Bombay local, and experienced businesswoman, expects to champion small businesses, families and the area’s rural community. As previously reported, Alder (Team Franklin) won 1630 votes ahead of independent Tom Vanderlaan (1520), followed by Chris Caldwell (358) and Nick Corlett (225).
While pleased with the outcome, as it was her first run for office, Alder was, understandably, a little daunted by the campaign.
“It was a bit of a fast journey. When I met the other candidates, I thought they were all pretty awesome people – we all could make some changes and achieve some positive outcomes,” she says.
“But I also found [the campaign] to be quite engaging. I went to a lot of local meetings and I could see how invested people are in our community. Hopefully I can help keep that momentum going.”
Although the board is chaired by Federated Farmers Auckland president, Alan Cole, another rural point of view will be valuable to the board, Alder expects.
“The Wairoa Subdivision covers a very large area with a lot of small communities – it has some quite remote areas and they’re not as close to the main centre of Pukekohe as the rest of Franklin,” she says. “So, having an extra rural voice is important.”
Effectively covering eastern Franklin, east of the Southern Motorway, the Wairoa Subdivision includes Beachlands, Whitford, Clevedon and Ardmore, Kawakawa Bay, Orere Point and down to Hunua, Ararimu and Bombay.
Alder replaces Malcolm Bell who, after 12 years’ service, stepped down earlier this year due to ill health, triggering the by-election.
With big gumboots to fill, Alder officially began her new role on Tuesday.
“I’ve had some governance training, but I’ve also been going to the weekly meetings anyway, as a guest,” she says. “I’m now looking forward to giving my best to represent the Wairoa Subdivision.”
