Future West announces its team to protect the West
Future West is pleased to announce its candidates for the 2025 Local Government elections.
Firstly, we wish to acknowledge Sandra Coney, who has decided after 24 years of sterling work for Waitākere to retire from active politics. She has served the West in a number of roles, as Regional Councillor, then Councillor for the Super City, Chair and member of the Waitākere Ranges Local Board, as well as Portage Licensing Trust trustee. Completely dedicated to the West, her passion for protecting and enhancing the environment, and respecting and restoring the West’s unique heritage is a legacy we will continue. She will now have more time for her other passion which is writing. We wish her well and thank her for her mahi.
We have a stellar team standing for election in 2025 who hold a wealth of community and governance experience.
Greg Presland and Mark Allen are seeking re-election to the Waitākere Ranges Local Board. They are joined by Mark Roberts, Michelle Hutton, Hannah Slade and Jess Rose, who is also standing for Councillor in the Waitākere Ward.
Mark Allen has extensive experience in Local Government and previously worked at a management level at Waitākere City Council and Auckland Council. He is a Te Henga resident and has a deep commitment to environmental protection. He was previously the Chief Executive of Community Waitākere and has a thorough understanding of the Community sector. He has served two terms as a Local Board member. Mark has also served on the Waitākere Licensing Trust for two terms including recently as a Director on the management company and is seeking re-election to the Waitākere Licensing Trust.
Greg Presland is a lawyer with 40 years experience and has practiced law in Glen Eden since 1988. He previously served as a Waitākere City Councillor and has been on the Local Board since its inception and is the current Chair. He is particularly proud of his involvement in the passage and management of the Waitākere Ranges Heritage Area Act, and his work for the Lopdell House Development Trust, which oversaw the renovation and earthquake strengthening of Lopdell House and the construction of Te Uru Gallery.
Mark Roberts is again seeking election. He has a wealth of business experience and has worked as a Chartered Accountant, CEO and Company Director. His passion for the Heritage Area has seen him be active with many local environmental and community groups. Currently he is working with Pest Free Waitākere Ranges Alliance, South Titirangi Neighbourhood Network, Little Muddy Creek Rehabilitation Project, Kauri Rescue, and the Titirangi Residents and Ratepayers Association.
Jess Rose is a fresh face for Waitākere, but having served two terms as a Local Board member, is no stranger to Council. She has held governance roles on the Manukau Harbour Forum, Women in Urbanism, and The Climate Advisory. Jess has an excellent reputation and is well known around the Council table for working collaboratively with others to get good outcomes for the community. With her settling in Waitākere, we are thrilled to have her experience on our team and fighting in our corner. She has a business degree and an anthropology degree, and has worked in both the private and public sectors across education, housing, transport and conservation.
Michelle Hutton is a Glen Eden resident and a mother of two. She has extensive governance experience in the not-for-profit sector and across the education sphere, including the early childhood, school, and tertiary fields. She currently serves as Presiding Member of the Woodlands Park School Board and has held governance roles at local, regional, and national levels within Playcentre Aotearoa, including serving on the national board and as Co-President. Professionally, she has worked in a range of technical and leadership roles spanning the science, technology, and education sectors. As well as running for the Local Board, she is also seeking to represent the people of Glen Eden on the Portage Licensing Trust.
Hannah Slade is a long-term resident of Piha. She began her career working for the Auckland Regional Council, has been the manager of the Piha Community Library, and has more than two decades of experience working in grassroots community groups, with new migrants and refugees and the disability community. She has worked in programme management and community engagement roles, with a focus on participation and inclusion. She is currently the Accessibility Programme Coordinator for the Auckland Arts Festival. She is also a musician.
Dr Rashi Parker is seeking election with Michelle Hutton to the Portage Licensing Trust representing the Glen Eden area. Rashi’s background is a combination of academia and community work. Previously, she worked as an academic researcher at the University of Auckland, investigating how brain circuits develop, and training upcoming neuroscientists. More recently she has worked in fundraising and advocacy for BirdCare Aotearoa and the Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi. She has also performed in leadership roles for community organisations.
BJ Partridge is standing with Greg Presland seeking election to Portage Licensing Trust. He is a lawyer specialising in immigration law. He is eminently qualified for the role and holds a Bachelor of Commerce, Master of Laws (Hons), and a Master of Public Policy (First Class Honours). He understands how the law works, and how public institutions should serve people over profit. He also has extensive involvement in sporting organisations, including Rugby clubs and the Welsh Society.
Future West stands for reliable infrastructure, protecting the environment, amplifying community voices, and creating thriving town centres.
Please vote Future West candidates when voting begins in September.
