'Bullying' by council spurs stand

Photo / Paul Estcourt

Waitakere City Council's "bullying ways" were what prompted a former Singapore official to stand as an independent for a seat on the Whau Local Board.

Asian, Indian, Polynesian and European candidates are in the ethnically diverse field of 22 hopefuls standing for the seven seats.

But while others campaign on transport, rates and crime, Singaporean immigrant Francis Lai's platform is property.

"Bureaucracy requirements are ridiculous and consent fees are just a rip-off," said Mr Lai, a former senior official with Singapore's Housing and Development Board.

Now a real estate agent, Mr Lai said some of his clients had faced the council's "bullying ways", and he would fight to reduce bureaucracy, especially in commercial developments.

Mr Lai has a case before the Environment Court which seeks to stop the council using the Public Works Act to acquire property from a client who has invested millions in Totara Ave.

"People need to have confidence that they can invest, and share in the prosperity of the area, and not fear that their properties are at risk because of council bureaucracy," he said.

Veteran Waitakere City councillor Derek Battersby is also campaigning as an Independent Ratepayers and Residents candidate.

Law, order and public safety, he says in a letter to ward residents, are paramount:

"These neighbourhoods belong to the people - not to vandals, boy racers and thugs."

ON THE WEB

For a full list of candidates go to aucklandcouncil.govt.nz