About Emma
Candidate Statement
I was born in Waikato and went to Glenview Primary, Melville Intermediate and Hamilton Girls High School. After this I studied Business at Wintec. I have worked in Hamilton at a scrap metal yard, Sport Waikato, a hydraulic engineering firm, the Waikato Regional Council and for Parliamentary Services before getting elected as Hamilton City Councillor in 2022. As such I have a grounded grassroots interest in polices which affect our people and communities.
As a first time Councillor I have served as Deputy Chair of Waikato Civil Defence Emergency Management Group, Deputy Chair of Community Grants, Chair of Traffic Control Hearings and Chair of Dog Control Hearings.
I've worked hard to represent you in my first term, pushing for smarter spending, greater restraint, and stronger community engagement. As a local girl who has spent all her life in Hamilton I will continue to be a strong voice for Kirikiriroa, Hamilton.
Candidate Profile Questions
1. What would be your top three priorities for Council the next three years?
My first priority is strengthening the connection between the Council and our communities. Engagement needs to be easier and more welcoming so people feel part of the conversation and can influence the decisions and shape their daily lives.
Second, with $1.02bn in debt, I want to focus on looking after our existing infrastructure so it remains reliable for the future. Using technology to streamline processes and reduce repetitive administrative tasks, such as consenting and consultation, will also reduce costs and delays.
And third, I see real value in partnerships. By working with neighbouring councils, and private businesses, we can share resources, create efficiencies, and achieve more together than we could alone, delivering better value to our residents.
2. What is your aspiration for Hamilton Kirikiriroa?
Hamilton is the fastest growing city in the country, which brings both challenges and opportunities. My aspiration is for Hamilton to be a city that grows smarter, using technology to deliver services faster, and more efficiently.
Hutt City Council has shown what's possible, saving $900,000 annually using AI tools. Waikato University research with Hamilton Council also highlighted how Large Language models (LLMs) can save time and money in community consultation. Smarter systems like these mean fewer delays, stronger engagement, and more value for money.
By embracing innovation, Hamilton can live within its means while still providing the infrastructure and services our people rely on.
3. How do you think Council could best use opportunities to meet the key challenges we are facing?
The challenges we face are too large to solve alone. Housing, transport, and water do not stop at council boundaries, and neither should our responses. Building stronger partnerships with neighbouring councils will allow us to share costs, pool expertise, and plan infrastructure in smarter, more coordinated ways.
Reforms and fast-track processes give us new opportunities to do this. By embracing them, we can accelerate housing and infrastructure projects, tackle growth pressures more effectively, and find efficiencies that deliver better value for residents.
The key is working together, not in silos. This collective approach ensures our city is not only well managed today, but also prepared for the growth and challenges of tomorrow.
4. If there was one thing you could change about Hamilton Kirikiriroa immediately, what would it be?
I would bring the community more into the heart of decision making. Too often, people feel decisions are made for them rather than with them. Consultation should be genuine, open, and take place in spaces where people feel comfortable and welcome. When engagement is accessible and inclusive, a diversity of voices can be heard and decisions become stronger, more trusted, and more sustainable. This builds a sense of shared ownership over our city's future.
5. What qualities would you bring to Council that will help our city thrive?
I bring balance, practical thinking, and a deep commitment to Hamilton. Living here for 30 years has given me a grounded understanding of our city and its people. I listen carefully and value different perspectives, ensuring decisions reflect what communities need.
Serving as Deputy Chair of the Waikato Civil Defence Emergency Management Joint Committee has shown me the importance for challenges together. Chairing Traffic Control Hearings Panel and Dog Control Hearings has highlighted the importance of hearing residents' views, weighing perspectives, and making fair, practical decisions.
Serving Hamilton West in my first term has been an honour and a privilege, and I am committed to continuing this work with care, integrity, and dedication, helping our city grow responsibly.
Content supplied by candidate.