About Robbie
Candidate Statement
Kia ora, I'm Robbie Neha.
My whānau have lived in the Tainui rohe for over 18 generations.
My wife Helen and I are proud parents of nine adult children. I am a self-employed Television Producer and Director with 36 years experience. I hold a Business degree, and I produce local and historical books and documentaries. I have represented New Zealand in Softball and Baseball, and I understand the values of comitment, and teamwork.
Through my experience with my Marae and Community organisations, I will ensure that the voices of Māori, alongside our fellow Hamiltonians are heard. Kirikiriroa is growing fast and we will need to deal head-on with rising living costs, housing needs, reforms and delivery of services.
In the words of our esteemed Kuia, Princess Te Puea:
'Mahia te mahi, hei paainga mo te iwi' - Work hard for the benefit of all.
Candidate Profile Questions
1. What would be your top three priorities for Council the next three years?
- Maaori Wards Our Council is guided by their Strategy ‘He Pou Manawa Ora’ – Pillars of well-being. Our Maaori Wards will give substance to this strategy, , and will ensure the voices of Maaori, alongside all Hamiltonians, are heard. The Maaori Wards will ensure that this strategy is not just a manifestation of consultation.
- Financial stability I am campaigning on balancing our books, improving our Council’s spending, and I intend to assist in finding new revenue sources and to promote business partners.
- Growth & Investment In November 2024, Hamilton officially became New Zealand’s fastest growing city. Our new Council will need to navigate this rapid growth with central government reforms and the changing rules of local government. The new water plan will be a significant change for our new Council.
‘Ki te kahore he whakakitenga, ka ngaro te iwi’
Without foresight or vision, the people will be lost
2. What is your aspiration for Hamilton Kirikiriroa?
I have numerous aspirations for Kirikiriroa. I want people to enjoy our City, and to know that Hamilton City is a great destination and a wonderful place to live and bring up children, and to know we are a leader in tertiary education through Wintec and Te Waananga o Aotearoa. Waikato University’s new medical school is visionary, and will be a game changer for our City and our rural districts. Hamilton has awesome sporting facilities, and we need to leverage off our fantastic Waikato sporting culture. We need businesses to build in our City, to invest in our economical strategies, and to join our world-leading companies. With the return of international flights to Hamilton, there has never been a better time to promote our beautiful city to the world.
‘Naaku te rourou, naau te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi’
With your basket, and my basket, the people will live
3. How do you think Council could best use opportunities to meet the key challenges we are facing?
There are always opportunities in challenges. We are facing tough reforms, and in regards to spending, the government has indicated that councils will need to prioritise essential services such as water, roading, infrastructure, and rubbish. Therefore, our new Council will need to be smarter, particularly around spending, rates rises, debt and revenue. Our main challenge as well as our obvious opportunity is our City’s growth, which is already creating opportunities, more jobs, more residents, more housing developments, improvements in our City’s efficiencies, mitigation of future city-wide risks, the enhancement of our city’s valuation, and noticeable contributions to the future development of our communities. Hamilton will need to focus on these strategic growth initiatives in order to remain a vibrant, resilient, diverse, and liveable City in this constantly changing world.
Ehara taku toa, he takitahi, he toa takitini’
Success is never mine alone, but the success of the collective
4. If there was one thing you could change about Hamilton Kirikiriroa immediately, what would it be?
My response to this question is directed towards our City’s new 2025 Council. Local Governments throughout the country are being criticised and treated poorly by those in Central Government. We have seen recently that a left-right split has entered Council. If I were to change anything about our new Council, it would be encouraging non-partisan views in the Council chamber, and not talk left and right viewpoints. Whilst it is fine to disagree on many topics, our new Councillors will need to work together and cohesively for the betterment of our City. There is no room for political left or right leanings. I would hope that everyone will all work together as a Council. There will need to be civil compromises, concessions, and agreements. Our City’s mana whenua, visitors, residents, and voters deserve it.
‘He waka eke noa’
We are all in the canoe together, with no exceptions
5. What qualities would you bring to Council that will help our city thrive?
Commitment:
I have a business degree, am self-employed, and own multiple companies. Therefore, I will be committing to this role full-time. I will be able to work outside of normal working hours, in the evenings, and on weekends.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi/The Treaty of Waitangi: Toitu Te Tiriti, Toitu te whenua, Toitu te mana o ngaa tangata No Waikato-Maniapoto ahau. No Te Mana Whenua o Kirikiriroa ahau. He maha ooku hapuu huhua. He maha ooku Marae. He aahua pai tooku reo me ooku tikanga Maaori
Relationships I serve on a number of community groups, and sporting groups, and I maintain and nurture many productive relationships and networks. I enjoy engaging with people from many different cultures and disciplines, including community members and council employees.
‘Ko taku reo taku ohooho, ko taku reo taku maapihi mauria’
My language is my awakening, my language is the window to my soul
6. Where can voters go to learn more about you?
Social Media - Facebook – PootiRobbie
Content supplied by candidate.