Communities and Residents (C&R) is proud to announce its energised team of six candidates who will contest the Puketāpapa Local Board in the 2022 local elections.
Incumbents Ella Kumar and Fiona Lai have been re-selected to stand and are joined by new C&R candidates Tili Leilua, Roseanne Hay, Mark Pervan and Neil Punja.
“We’re excited to work alongside these long-standing and dedicated members of our Puketāpapa community,” says C&R Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa Councillor Christine Fletcher and council candidate Will McKenzie.
“Each of these candidates bring a wealth of experience, from managing business and enterprise, health promotion, social services and interior design. There is no doubt they will enrich the Local Board and offer fresh ideas from a wide range of perspectives. We’re confident they will ensure better outcomes and work towards a bright future for Puketāpapa.”
Ella Kumar is a current local board member with 12 years’ experience and local government expertise in arts and culture, library, sport and recreation, economic development, and planning. She is on the Roskill Together Board, founded and chairs the inaugural Puketāpapa Business Association, and is a JP and marriage-celebrant. Ella continues to advocate for better infrastructure and community facilities to help Puketāpapa thrive.
Fiona Lai is an elected local board and Auckland DHB member. She is a community pharmacist, Board Trustee for Mt Roskill Primary School, and previous church youth leader. During Auckland’s lock-down, Fiona served on the frontline of the community, providing medical services and food supplies to local families. She continues to ensure the voice of Puketāpapa is heard, understanding local needs and pushing for improvements to community facilities, parks/playgrounds.
Tili Leilua is a lifelong Mt Roskill resident and calls it home with her husband and five children. She is a Whānau Support Facilitator, completing her Masters in Social Community Leadership. Tili is deeply involved in community initiatives with civil defence, local schools, youth charities, food hubs, and advocates for affordable housing security. On the local board, she hopes to empower entrepreneurs, support local business and deliver community aspiration and need.
Roseanne Hay has lived and worked locally for over 40 years. She is a chartered accountant and works in the executive management team of Keith Hay Homes. Roseanne has served in several community governance roles, including Puketāpapa Rugby and Sports Club, Sursum Foundation and chaired the Hay Park School Board of Trustees for nine years. Mt Roskill is in Roseanne’s blood. She comes from a strong line of local political leaders; her grandfather was Mt Roskill Mayor and her father was Mt Roskill Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Auckland City.
Mark Pervan is a local businessman who has served Puketāpapa for over 15 years. He is a business owner for 25 years, on the board of the Dominion Road Business Association, and designs and manages residential and commercial projects. Mark is an interior designer, passionate about the environment, climate change, and sustainable economic growth and technologies.
Neil Punja is a local resident with a background in change management and leadership. He has worked across business and community, helping to revitalise neighbourhoods and provide better connectivity, accessibility and wellbeing for residents. Some of Neil’s work includes the implementation of free community transport services in South Auckland, support for Police Blue Light youth programmes and management of employment and career pathways.
