About Maria
Candidate Statement
My six siblings and I were born and bred in Htown Kirikiriroa Hamilton.
Between my husband and I we have eleven children in total.
In July we celebrated our second wedding anniversary.
I love our city deeply and I am committed to doing my best to advance us all no matter where we come from, our backgrounds or what we believe in and or our circumstances.
I envision a city that is safe, well rounded, pumping, financially stable and economically thriving whilst keeping our taiao environment and citizens well-being at the forefront.
The people are our city.
I am committed to achieving excellence for all of us, together.
I am not here for the 'mana' I am here to serve through strong leadership and aroha.
Maria moo te iwi - Maria For The People.
Check out my socials on all platforms mariamooteiwi, linkedin profile and website mariamooteiwi.com for more information.
Candidate Profile Questions
1. What would be your top three priorities for Council the next three years?
My top three priorities for the next three years will continue to align with the basic necessities of life; 'He wai, he kai, he aahuru moowai' - Water, food security and housing.
2. What is your aspiration for Hamilton Kirikiriroa?
My aspiration for Kirikiriroa Hamilton is that we are a city that is economically thriving and that can sustain social, environmental and cultural outcomes that support all people that call Kirikiriroa Hamilton home.
3. How do you think Council could best use opportunities to meet the key challenges we are facing?
Relationships, relationships, relationships. Everything we do as a Council is dependent on strong relationships based on good communication, mutual respect, reciprocity and trust. Building, strengthening and maintaining robust relationships and fostering true partnerships across our diverse community, local Iwi and neighboring Councils will go a long way to collectively facing key challenges ahead. It is also imperative for Council to continue to lobby and advocate on behalf of the community and city to the central Government to uphold their responsibilities to adequately fund and support our nation's housing shortage, rising costs, homelessness crisis, health and poverty at a local level.
4. If there was one thing you could change about Hamilton Kirikiriroa immediately, what would it be?
Attract business, world class events and bring back vibrancy to the CBD which will ultimately boost our local economy and help contribute to social, cultural and environmental aspirations.
5. What qualities would you bring to Council that will help our city thrive?
Like our tuupuna awa the Waikato river I am able to move around, over and through obstacles with grace, depth, resilience and agility. Like our tuupuna maunga ancestral mountain Pirongia te aroaro o Kahu I am resolute, unwavering, connected through the ages to those that have gone before us and those yet to come.
6. Where can voters go to learn more about you?
Website: www.mariamooteiwi.com