About Peter
Candidate Statement
I'm standing for Hamilton East because I believe in a safer, more inclusive, and affordable community for everyone. I bring lived experience, local leadership, and commitment to practical change that puts people first. As manager of the Hamilton Christian Nightshelter for over a decade, I delivered vital support on tight budgets - stretching every dollar to help vulnerable residents through compassionate resourcefulness. My advocacy achieved policy gains for disabled people and caregivers, earning the Civic Award (2017) and Local Hero Award (2019). I also recently helped shape Hamilton's Age-Friendly Plan, ensuring seniors' voices were heard.
I previously served as Deputy Chair of Community Waikato, Chair of Centre 401, and Board member of Te Whare o Te Ata championing strong governance and accountability. My previous service as a senior firefighter sharpened my crisis leadership and resilience.
I'm running to ensure affordability, safety, and fairness, helping Hamiltonians thrive with smart compassionate decision-making.
Candidate Profile Questions
1. What would be your top three priorities for Council the next three years?
- Let’s make our neighbourhoods safer by supporting community houses, improving public spaces, and backing local initiatives like youth programs. Investing in practical, no-nonsense improvements will help make our streets more welcoming and secure for everyone.
- While I’m not the employer of council staff, I’m committed to advocating for a supportive workplace where the Chief Executive and their teams feel genuinely valued and respected. When staff have growth opportunities and feel appreciated, their morale and motivation rise, leading to better service and outcomes for the entire community.
- I would also push for the Government to return GST to our council. Local councils deliver vital services that benefit everyone, but they must absorb the cost of GST, which puts extra pressure on rates. Getting GST returned would mean more resources for our communities without increasing the rates burden.
2. What is your aspiration for Hamilton Kirikiriroa?
I want Hamilton Kirikiriroa to be a place where everyone feels safe, can afford to live, and belongs. My top priorities are making our neighbourhoods safer by backing community houses and sorting out practical safety issues. I’ll keep a close eye on council spending, cutting the waste and making sure rates don’t keep soaring, focusing on the basics like roads, water, parks, and pools.
I’m keen to make sure older folks, people with disabilities, and anyone struggling have their say at the council table and can access the services they need. I’m all about rolling my sleeves up, listening to Hamiltonians, and making sure Hamilton works for all of us, not just fancy projects, but real, everyday solutions that keep families safe and included.
3. How do you think Council could best use opportunities to meet the key challenges we are facing?
Council can meet key challenges by focusing on what matters to residents. First, fix the basics—pipes, roads, parks, and community facilities —to keep things running smoothly and avoid expensive surprises. Working closely with iwi, locals neighbouring councils, and central government helps share the load on housing, growth, and water reforms. Keeping rates fair and cutting waste eases pressure on families while protecting services like libraries and pools. The council should also support climate action, boost community safety. Ensuring the city is run for us, not at us, is crucial. That’s how Hamilton Kirikiriroa stays a great, liveable place for everyone. I aspire to make it a city where everyone feels safe, can afford to live, and belongs.
4. If there was one thing you could change about Hamilton Kirikiriroa immediately, what would it be?
If I could change one thing about Hamilton Kirikiriroa immediately, it would be to make sure everyone has a safe, warm, and affordable place to call home. While I recognise housing isn’t solely the council’s responsibility, the council plays a vital role in supporting our community by advocating for more social and community housing. I’d push for practical steps to back affordable housing development and wrap-around support services that help whānau stay stable. Safe, secure homes give people dignity and hope, and when housing issues are addressed, it lifts the whole community, making Hamilton safer, healthier, and more welcoming. The council must work closely with central government, iwi, and community groups to support solutions that meet local needs. Real change starts with practical collaboration and a shared commitment to ensuring no one in our city is left without a place to call home. This is urgent and needs action now.
5. What qualities would you bring to Council that will help our city thrive?
As a past firefighter, I served on the frontline responding to emergencies—fighting fires, rescuing people, and providing medical assistance. That experience taught me to stay calm under pressure, work as part of a team, and get stuck in when things get tough. I showed up for my community when they needed help most, handling a wide range of challenging situations with care. Separately, in my role distributing grants to community organisations, I learned the importance of being frugal and making every dollar count. I carefully managed limited funds to support local groups that make a real difference in people’s lives. This sharpened my financial discipline and strengthened my commitment to stretching resources to achieve the best outcomes possible. In my governance roles in the community, I contributed to strategic decision-making and helped guide the organisations to better serve our community and neighbourhoods.
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