Ah Hoi mounts Porirua mayoral challenge
BY KRIS DANDO - KAPI-MANA NEWS
Porirua's deputy mayor has her eye on the top job.
This year's local body elections will see a number of new faces in the council chamber, and with Mayor Jenny Brash standing aside after four terms, competition for the hot seat is expected to be smoking. Councillor Nick Leggett has formally announced his intention to seek the mayoral chains, and Ms Brash's deputy, Litea Ah Hoi, will be another name to consider come October.
The outspoken Ms Ah Hoi is in her third term as a councillor and Ms Brash's standing aside means the time is right.
"I wouldn't be standing if Jenny still was, but she's not there, so I have a good chance. At the end of the day it will be up to voters but I've got confidence - I'm not an academic but I think I have the life experience, commonsense and ability to work with broad views.
"Any one of us [councillors] can lead, we all have our own leadership styles, but it's about having that balance of letting people have their say and being firm. At the end of the day we're there for the people of Porirua."
One of the highest-polling candidates for the Eastern Ward each election, Ms Ah Hoi has garnered a reputation for speaking her mind and being passionate about the subjects she holds dear.
"I'm not a fence-sitter, never have been and never will be, I'm always keen to put in my 5 cents' worth. What you see is what you get with me."
Coming to New Zealand from Samoa, she has a track record of representing lower socio-economic people on immigration and police issues. To that end, she concedes most of her votes will be won in the city's East with plenty of "cultural capital" on her side that other candidates might lack. But she doesn't feel it will be an election decided on race, but on "consistency and experience".
Not having the "financial capacity" means Ms Ah Hoi is unlikely to run a highly visible campaign, but is of the opinion that "hoardings and billboards" will not sway voters anyway.
She doesn't feel there are "issues" to campaign on, but the improvement of Porirua Harbour and the thorny topic of amalgamation are never far from her mind. Like her main rival for the mayoralty (so far), she says it is a subject that is worth further debate.
"In Auckland there is going to be a 'super city' and I think it's looking like we could go this way down here. There are discussions going on and we [Porirua] need to be part of that. My concern is where Porirua fits and what happens to local services."
Ms Ah Hoi has enjoyed her time as deputy mayor, saying it has given her valuable insight into what is required of a fulltime mayor. She does not feel it is a position that needs to "consume" her.
"Things have to be in perspective and I don't think you need to be in that office 24/7. At the moment I'm a councillor, mum, I do cooking and cleaning and shopping, I have a job, am a [Mana Community Grants] trustee and I do my unpaid [advocacy] work I would still love to be able to do all that. It's about time management, something I've always been good at."
Although "advised" to contest just the mayoralty, Ms Ah Hoi will likely contest her Eastern Ward seat as well. She will be standing as an independent, not seeking a Labour Party endorsement.
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As a Porirua East resident, I am stunned and saddened by this article. I agree with Mitch that this should disqualify Litea Ah Hoi from running. She will remind everyone of the bad image of the city that we should have put to bed a long, long time ago. Litea, do everyone a favour and pull out of the race before you subject us to more of this!!
Lance- yes defends gangs. Not the image Porirua really needs is it.
Litea is 'old Porirua.' She is talking loudly about our problems and not finding solutions. Note that this article says nothing about what she will do. I think we need a well rounded Mayor who understands the issues of ALL the people in Porirua, not just those on low incomes. Porirua has changed hugely and now has some of the wealthiest suburbs in New Zealand. A new Mayor needs to reflect that change and the aspirations of the whole community."
Yes Lance, not only defends gangs but she's also the lady who attacked the ambulance service after a little girl died. She said they 'didn't get their fast enough.' Anyone would think they dished out the beating!
Well thank goodness there are other options. Ah Hoi doesn't represent the Porirua I live in. We need a mayor that's positive about the city, not one that constantly goes on about how hard done by everyone is in Cannons Creek and the islands.
There is more to the city than just Cannons Creek.
Isn't this the woman who defends gangs? Does she seriously think she has a chance at the mayoralty?
Dear, oh dear. This is the most appalling interview of a politician I have ever had the misfortune of reading. It is five minutes of my life I will never get back, or ten if you count writing this. Never in the history of politics, nowhere, in any language known to man, has a candidate for public office stated that there are no issues at stake. Especially in Porirua, a city that clearly needs a kick up the pants. If it were possible to ban someone from running for election based on a media interview, Ms Ah Hoi would be under house arrest for the next ten months.
Litea Ah Hoi is outspoken but this article proves she doesn't really stand for anything. She says there are no issues in Porirua. What about the much needed re-development of the CBD, high rates and the negative reputation of Porirua? We need a Mayor with ideas, not just a big mouth!
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litea needs to stop being a bully. she needs to learn how to communicate at all levels if she wants to represent the wider city. "im not academic but iv got life experience"???... well that about wraps it up folks. i would be more confident in a mayor who is intelligent and is able to strategise the cities development. we need a mayor that is diplomatic as we have a very diverse community. unfortunately litea does not show these charateristics.