Leaders' Forum

We asked our political leaders to have a cheery chat at holiday time and most were happy to.

JOHN CARTER, MAYOR, FAR NORTH DISTRICT COUNCIL

The pathway to the future is all about communication and collaboration. Unless we talk openly and honestly with each other the Far North will never really grow and prosper.

There will always be points of difference and that's healthy. But unless there is open dialogue, we can never really expect to pick up the pace as a district or as a region.

Too often when elected to office there is a tendency after a period of time to forget that like it or not, our role is as a servant to the people and that means everyone, not just those who may share our particular aspirations.That doesn't mean I'm a pushover
and will let extremists ride roughshod. But it does mean developing something of a hide to ensure strong leadership in the interests of the majority.

Now the Local Government Commission has pointed the way forward our role as leaders is to lay the pros and cons fairly and openly before the community and let the people of the Far North decide whether they want the outcome to go to a poll.

My priority as Mayor is to keep the ship steaming ahead and this can best be achieved by collaborating with our neighbours, listening to iwi and community groups, continuing to stimulate the local economy at every opportunity and focusing sharply on the need to create employment.

There will be no silver bullets without the big "Cs" -cooperation, consultation, collaboration and communication. I'm confident the Far North can show others the way forward.

DAVID CLENDON, GREEN PARTYMP

Northland has a truly fascinating past, full of excitement and drama, with a cast including many famous (and sometimes infamous) characters. It's a grand story, and I'm proud of the part my own whanaunga have played in it.The challenge now is to ensure that Northland has a future that is just as rich, just as exciting, that holds just as much promise for present and future generations.

Opportunities abound to generate well-being using our natural resources, our land, water and marine environments, and of course the talents and energy of our people. Let's focus on what we can produce from the whenua, not on what we might dig out from under it!

Let's aim to attract and support local business, those that can offer employment and create wealth, provide the goods and services we all need to survive and thrive, to increase our self-reliance.

Let's encourage 'slow' tourists who will take time to visit our special places, walk the paths and beaches, meet our people, and leave knowing they have experienced something unique, something real.

Let's provide more educational opportunities, so that fewer of our young people need to leave home to get the skills and knowledge that will help them build a good life and contribute to their community

Let's work to restore the natural environment, our rivers, lakes and forests, and make our 'clean, green' image more real. This is our place, ours to love and protect. "

HONE HARAWIRA, MANA PARTYMP

There were a number of highlights for me this year

Feeding the Kids was a biggie. In 2012 it seemed like I was the only one pushing it, but thanks to the support of schools and groups all over the north and all around the country as well, my Food in Schools proposal now has 70 percent support from New Zealanders, and is rated as one of the top 10 issues in 2013.

Housing was also a big issue for me because new housing (and housing upgrades) mean jobs - for carpenters, plumbers, glaziers, sparkies, roofers, painters and the rest. Better living conditions also helps reduce unnecessary sickness and lets whanau focus on more important things, like education. Getting arrested for trying to keep good homes from being taken away from decent
families might not rate as a highlight with most people, but I'm glad I did it anyway.

And of course, going to South Africa to farewell Nelson Mandela was right up there. Mandela was a hero to New Zealanders right across the country, and I'm glad I went to represent us all.

And to top it off? In 2013 I became a great grandfather, and if you want a laugh, get this - the make-up department at Maori TV rated me the hottest great-grandfather of the year!