About Sue
Candidate Statement
Sue Moroney: Proven champion for Hamilton.
I'm passionate about building a vibrant, safe and sustainable city for all. Living locally for 35 years, I've spent my career delivering affordable, positive change - like the Te Huia passenger train to Auckland. I use it regularly and love seeing others benefit from it too. Working across party-lines as a local MP I secured 26 weeks paid parental leave for working families. I also helped expose extravagant spending by Waikato DHB CEO - protecting public funds and requiring accountability. I secured government funding for the second Innovation Park building, supporting local innovation and jobs. As CEO of Community Law Centres Aotearoa, I've expanded services while staying well within budget for seven years. Now, I'm ready to put my political, financial, and community expertise back to work for Hamilton. Our fast-growing city requires determined, strategic leadership.
I'd be honoured to have your #1 vote.
Candidate Profile Questions
1. What would be your top three priorities for Council the next three years?
Your safety and wellbeing is my top priority. Too often, I hear that people feel unsafe on the streets of Hamilton. When people feel safe then they can fully participate in all our city has to offer - the unique playgrounds and gardens, our rich ethnic diversity, the great food on offer in our hospitality sector and our thriving arts and culture community, soon to be enhanced by the new theatre.
Council has a role in the sale and supply of alcohol and I will take a stronger approach on this to ensure community safety. Reducing alcohol harm is a priority for me. I will advocate for a return to community policing that identifies and pre-empts issues in the community.
Making sure every dollar counts is a key priority for me, as it has been in my role as CEO of a major nationwide NGO - Community Law Centres Aotearoa.
2. What is your aspiration for Hamilton Kirikiriroa?
I want Hamilton Kirikiriroa to be a vibrant, safe, inclusive and sustainable city. I know that sounds like a fine bunch of words, but beneath them lies my experience of the city over the 35 years I have lived, worked and raised my children here. Our sons got a great education at Berkely Intermediate and Hillcrest High which has prepared them well for life. Hamilton is at its best when we embrace what everyone has to offer and everyone feels valued. We can be that city - leading the country in how to grow properly, learning from Auckland's mistakes. We still have the opportunity to get that right, but it takes bold strategic vision: putting our people first while living within our means, like any family would.
3. How do you think Council could best use opportunities to meet the key challenges we are facing?
Council should take a stronger advocacy role for its community and I want to bring that to the table. There are cost-savings to be made when we do this well. It doesn't cost to provide that leadership, but it does when we don't provide it. Advocating and collaborating with Government and other entities is a strength I bring. My persistent and strategic advocacy for 26 weeks paid parental leave which I led as a local member of Parliament, eventually got the backing of all political parties. As a result, hundreds of thousands of families across Aotearoa have had more time with their newborn babies. I can put this skill to work for Hamilton with neighbouring councils, Iwi, Central Government and other key stakeholders.
4. If there was one thing you could change about Hamilton Kirikiriroa immediately, what would it be?
I would change the negative perceptions some other New Zealanders have about our city. We are the fourth largest city in the country and the fastest-growing city in Aotearoa - there are good reasons for that and we need to stand proud about who we are. If I am elected to council, I will work for positive growth so that the rest of New Zealand will come to see Hamilton as a leading light in how to grow and provide the best environment for families to thrive in.
5. What qualities would you bring to Council that will help our city thrive?
I am a strong and strategic advocate with financial, political and community expertise. My track record speaks for itself. This includes
- delivering 26 weeks paid parental leave to families in New Zealand;
- establishing the Te Huia passenger train service between Hamilton and Auckland;
- requiring accountability for the extravagant spending of a Waikato DHB CEO, resulting in the resignation of both the CEO and board chair;
- securing funding for the second Innovation Park building at Ruakura;
- Exposing a significant fraud at the Ministry of Transport, resulting in conviction of the fraudster and the resignation of the Attorney General.
6. Where can voters go to learn more about you?
Social media: Facebook page: Vote Sue Moroney for Hamilton City Council