Bo Burns’ maiden speech as councillor

New councillor for the Howick ward, Bo Burns, centre, with her very proud family, from left, Lucy, Pip, Charlie and Brendon. Photo supplied

New Auckland councillor for the Howick ward, Bo Burns, made her maiden speech to the Auckland Council on Tuesday, November 11. Here it is:

Good afternoon, Mayor Brown, Deputy Mayor Simpson, fellow councillors, and supporting staff.

I am truly honoured to be here today. Apart from my husband Brendon, my daughters Lucy and Charlie, and my mother Pip, I have 12,038 residents of east Auckland to thank for this opportunity – for trusting and believing that I will make a difference and be the voice they deserve and need.

My community will always be my anchor point when thinking and deliberating on local and regional decisions.

It’s never been about what I think – it’s about what’s best for my community.

Although I’m not a career politician, I come from a family with a strong thread of public service and leadership – business owners, lawyers, and politicians.

My great-great-grandfather, James Macandrew, whose statue stands proudly outside the Dunedin Museum.

He was a very successful businessman and served as a Member of Parliament from 1853 to 1887 and as the last Superintendent of Otago Province.

One article described him as ‘a man whose energy, enthusiasm, and vision livened up the little village of Dunedin’.

That resonates deeply with me because that’s how I feel about my own village, Howick.

I’m a business owner, a wife, a mum, a sports coach, a business mentor, and a community connector.

I’ve spent my life giving back – volunteering, fundraising, sitting on PTAs, industry boards, supporting sports clubs, mentoring youth, and advocating for local business owners.

I’m not afraid to roll up my sleeves, work hard and make things happen.

My journey started from the ground up – no university, no handouts.

I had to work hard, stay determined, and hold onto core values and beliefs: I care deeply about my community and its people.

Through that, I’ve built strong relationships and achieved real results along the way with the support of people such as my mentor and friend Adele White, who I was elected with for the first time on the Howick Local Board six years ago, where this journey began.

To me, leadership isn’t about titles. It’s about service. It’s about being accountable, visible, and someone the community knows will show up.

It’s about bringing commonsense to the table and making decisions our future generations will thank us for.

Shape – My Vision for Auckland

My vision is simple: A city people not only want to live in, but love and feel proud of.

Too often now I hear people say: “I don’t want to live here anymore.” That breaks my heart.

We need a city where local decisions are made locally. A city that values our environment, our waterways, beaches, reserves, safety, tourism and community connection.

A city that celebrates the unique character and diversity of every suburb – from Howick to Henderson, Franklin to the Shore.

We know blanket approaches and initiatives such as PC120 will never work for all of our incredibly different communities and beautiful suburbs.

For some it suits, and for some it will decimate not only places people long to live but put even more pressure on ageing infrastructure and our environment.

We must simplify how we communicate so Aucklanders feel heard, understood, and engaged – not frustrated or excluded.

We need to change the mantra of “there is no point, no one listens”.

This role carries a huge responsibility. It’s not just about managing budgets or debating policies and bylaws – it’s about rebuilding Aucklanders’ trust in their council.

Without genuine connection and transparency, we can’t truly serve our people.

We must stop, listen, and respond with care – not knee-jerk reactions or constant excuses about lack of funding.

I was raised to believe you have to spend money to make money.

If we want meaningful engagement and turnout for elections and “Have Your Say” events, we can’t keep investing 17 cents per person and expect real democracy.

When only 15 per cent to 28 per cent of people are engaging, democracy isn’t functioning as it should.

Shape – How I Work

I’m a results-driven person who believes in communication, collaboration, and execution.

I look forward to building strong and functional relationships with my and other local boards, and with our local MPs Simeon Brown, Christopher Luxon, Nancy Lu, and Parmjeet Parmar.

Strong communities build strong cities: “When a team is rowing in the same direction, we know we’ll reach the finish line stronger.”

Some decisions ahead will be difficult, but we must always think long-term – about what we’re leaving behind for future generations.

We cannot hand over a broken or dysfunctional city.

Shape – My Key Priorities

When asked to meet with [Auckland Council chief executive] Phil Wilson recently, I was told to take my top three priorities for this term.

My list quickly turned into 14. Some for my community and many for Auckland as a whole.

These are the key areas I’d like to focus on this term:

• Rates

Reviewing the structure and framework of rates – specifically the UAGC (Uniform Annual General Charge).

It’s one of the biggest issues raised by Aucklanders to all of us over the recent election campaign, and there are levers available to us – so let’s use them, or at least bring it to the table to discuss.

• Community Facilities for Flat Bush and Ormiston

East Auckland has 180,000 residents and growing. Flat Bush and Ormiston is the fastest-growing community and has waited more than 20 years for proper facilities.

It’s been so long that the long-term plans (LTPs) were actually long-term council community plans (LTCCPs).

It’s time to deliver for these 45,000 people a community facility to bring them together, and the bigger issue is the pressure the additional 45,000 people are putting on our other Howick ward facilities that are bursting at the seams.

• Sports Clubs

Supporting our large sports clubs such as Howick Pakuranga Netball Centre, many of which run on the smell of an oily rag.

We need to strengthen partnerships, grants, and support to create safe, accessible, high-quality spaces – with proper lighting, parking, and facilities worthy of hosting national and international events.

An active and healthy community is a happy one.

• Car Parks – Bucklands Beach Yacht Club and others

We need bold thinking and collaboration to create better parking solutions that can also generate passive income for council.

Smart infrastructure like this helps both local tourism and wider city flow with less cars on the road.

Right now, we have an amazing transport hub in Half Moon Bay that no one can park at or get to reliably.

• Beaches, Streams, and Coastlines

Protecting and monitoring properly these natural assets to ensure we don’t lose them to poor infrastructure or intensification decisions.

Future generations should be able to safely swim in their local beaches – not worry about sewage overflow.

• Corporate Lens on Council Assets

Applying commercial thinking to how we manage property, facilities, and procurement.

We should modernise our corporate sponsorship policy (last updated in 2014) and make it easier for local businesses to be part of local procurement.

Every park, bin, and playground has potential for innovative revenue streams if we think smartly.

• Tourism

East Auckland deserves to be on the map. We have many beaches, golf courses, cycle trails, temples, playgrounds, malls, a beautiful historical village, and a rich cultural history just 35 minutes by ferry from the CBD and we are not seen as a destination.

All our wards’ tourism groups across Auckland should be directly funded and supported to deliver events and tourism initiatives that showcase their unique strengths and attract tourism out to the suburbs.

• Core Services and Value for Money

Ensuring our core services are delivered regularly, on time, and within budget, so Aucklanders see results and value for their rates.

Shape

To everyone who believed in me, supported me, and challenged me – thank you.

I’m here to represent with integrity, passion, and determination. To bring fresh thinking, fast execution, and real results – cutting through the red tape and excuses.

Together, I want to make Auckland the most sensational, inspirational, and celebrated city in the world.

• Disclaimer: Bo Burns is the owner of Times Media.