About Danielle
Candidate Statement
Kirikiriroa has helped shape me into the person I am today. Now I want to return the care and compassion shown to me and take the opportunity to represent our local community, to protect our natural environment, and give voice to the concerns and needs of young people.
I'm proud to have worked in policy for youth mental health and in governance as a board member of Go Eco-local leaders in food rescue and climate action. For way too long, local politics has mostly failed to inspire or reflect our needs. Our voices can and will stand strong against the failed politics we see around us right now. We deserve to see our full selves reflected in leadership.
Our future must be fair to both people and planet, locally driven environmental action, and meaningfully incorporate the voices of those who will live with the decisions long into their futures.
Candidate Profile Questions
1. What would be your top three priorities for Council the next three years?
- Honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi and acknowledging our whole history, including our unique Maaori heritage. This includes funding He Pou Manawa Ora - Council’s Maaori strategy and stop putting it on the chopping block when cuts are made.
- Future-proofing our infrastructure - climate change is here, and we need urgent action to ensure that we learn from the mistakes of other regions and that our communities have security in times of crisis. We can’t rely on debt to save us.
- Ensuring rangatahi have a city that reflects and values them - I want to see targeted engagement with young people and underrepresented communities on citywide proposals. We need to meet people where they are.
2. What is your aspiration for Hamilton Kirikiriroa?
I want to see everyone thriving - being able to turn up as themselves and know that they are cared for, regardless of where they live or what they are interested in. When we don’t invest in our shared spaces, like parks and libraries, people will stay home.
Our natural environment is an opportunity to connect with the local history of Kirikiriroa and is respected and enjoyed by all. It’s a place of sanctuary for our local ecosystems to flourish.
Collaborating with each other and with our environment will create a space for all of us to be feel valued.
3. How do you think Council could best use opportunities to meet the key challenges we are facing?
As the fastest growing city in Aotearoa, thoughtful investment in infrastructure that supports long-term climate resilience and public health is also an opportunity for regional collaboration and partnership.
Working with other Councils, like recently with Waikato District Council for our water infrastructure, showed that we can make things more affordable and intergenerational if we work with others. Be it other Councils or with central government, there are opportunities when we work together to better the livelihoods of people who live here.
We can have more, when we invest in relationships.
4. If there was one thing you could change about Hamilton Kirikiriroa immediately, what would it be?
Increase investment in our older areas of the city - like Fairfield and Enderley - so that all our communities have nice things like new community houses, libraries, and footpaths, not just the newest suburbs.
These suburbs are where our communities are connected and have chosen to invest in each other. They are home to intergenerational whaanau, contributing to our shared history and culture. Investing in our older areas helps us build inclusive, resilient and vibrant communities. Equity across our city is critical for our collective well-being.
5. What qualities would you bring to Council that will help our city thrive?
Curiosity, collaboration, and courage.
I bring a background in governance and community, across te ao Maaori, local government, and the charities sector - where I’ve collaborated with people from all walks of life to enable great outcomes for all communities.
With curiosity and courage, I challenge the status quo to ensure all people are respected and encouraged to thrive in our city. The more people who see themselves in Council decisions, the more engaged I hope they’ll be - allowing me to be a better decision-maker now, but also fostering more people to feel seen and heard.
6. Where can voters go to learn more about you?
Website - marks4kirikiriroa.com
Social media- Danielle Marks #1 for Hamilton East
Email - vote@marks4kirikiriroa.com
Content supplied by candidate.