CANDIDATE: Living and breathing Franklin

Andy Baker is seeking standing for Franklin ward councillor on the Auckland Council.

I live in Drury with my wife, Larissa. My mother’s family (Allen) first settled in Buckland in the 1860s, with my mother growing up in Clevedon. The Baker side arrived in Runciman in the 1940s. I have lived in the Drury area all my life. I live and breathe Franklin and have worked here in various fields most of my adult life.

I served 12 years on the Franklin Local Board since 2010, three as chair and one as deputy. I have been the councillor for Franklin since 2022 and am currently chair of the Transport, Resilience and Infrastructure Committee and chair of the Rural Advisory Committee, amongst a host of other appointments and responsibilities.

I have been heavily involved in our community mainly through rugby, sports and various service clubs, including as current Patron of Counties Special Olympics, former chair of a DHB-founded leadership group bringing access to health services to Franklin and currently chairing the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Auckland Local Advisory Committee.

My knowledge of Franklin and its people comes from being actively involved, listening to people, helping where I can, and just getting out and about from the west coast to the east and all parts in between.

I have been heavily involved in bringing change to the council, including Auckland Transport (AT) where I was a director on the board for 18 months and drove many changes at board level.

More change is needed, and I want to focus in on:

• Greater collaboration and partnering with communities and the private sector.
• Addressing our regulatory approach to reduce time and cost for everyone.
• Continuing to champion Franklin’s businesses and environment.
• Meaningfully empowering local boards so that more decision-making, accountability and transparency exist at the local level.

Being a councillor is a full-time role, I have and will remain available, interested and willing to help any person, business or organisation in Franklin and will continue to work closely alongside the Franklin Local Board to get the best we can for Franklin.