Damian Light

Thanks Eleanor ❤️

Fri 17 Oct: Final results and official results include all votes, including special votes.

Results can be found here: voteauckland.co.nz/en/2025-loca...

Progress results include votes received until the evening of Fri 10 Oct 2025. They do not include special votes or votes received on Saturday morning.

Mon 13 Oct: Preliminary results include votes received on the morning of Sat 11 Oct. Special votes are still not included.

It's great to see that the Howick Local Board will benefit from the experience of returning members, as well as from some fresh new faces. Congratulations to all the new and returning members.

But there's more to do - we're opening library in Jan, with more progress on Flat Bush facilities underway. We need to tackle gaps in playgrounds & sportsfields, with budget shortfalls. We're taking on more responsibilities for transport, while intensification looms.

Thank you to everyone who voted for me, who helped my campaign - your support means a lot, regardless of the outcome. I'm thrilled to be back on the Local Board - I've really enjoyed the past three years and we've achieved a lot.

Unfortunately I haven't been elected to Auckland Council. My congratulations to Maurice Williamson (who has been returned) and Bo Burns. Well done to them both and commiserations to the other unsuccessful candidates.

Thank you Botany! ❤️

Progress results show that I've been returned to the Howick Local Board as one of the two representatives for Botany. Thank you to locals for your vote of confidence in me.

All of this has been a team effort and whatever happens tomorrow I'm proud of what we've done together - as a Board and as a community.

‘Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini’ – our strength is not made from us alone but made from many.

Our environmental programmes delivered significant improvements thanks to partnerships with Otara Waterways and Lake Trust, Pest Free Howick Ward and residents.
And we increased transparency by opening workshops to public & improved local democracy with Flat Bush representation.

We strengthened our partnership with mana whenua, finally making progress on the dual naming of parks with Te Kete Rukuruku.

We've boosted social cohesion with investment into Neighbourhood Support while delivering the local emergency readiness and response plan with AEM.

We successfully advocated for funding for the long-awaited Flat Bush facilities (Community Centre and Library, Pool and Leisure Centre), and secured a lease for a temporary Library at Ormiston in the meantime.

In addition to our ongoing support for the incredible Howick Youth Council, we delivered a dedicated space for our rangatahi (youth) with Te Taiwhanga Taiohi East Auckland Youth Space, funded through our effort saving the early childhood education previously known as KauriKids.

It's been a privilege serving on Howick Local Board for the last 3yrs, as representative for Botany/Flat Bush and as Chairperson. Despite the significant challenges we've faced, like budget cuts and unpredictable government reform, we've managed to deliver for our communities.

As an independent I don't have a big political party behind me, just dedicated passionate locals who want to see positive change.

Special thank you to my friends and whānau who have helped and supported me throughout the campaign and last three years.

Thank you you to everyone who has helped with my campaign. From volunteers who've delivered leaflets to residents who've allowed me to use their fence for my signs - thank you.

With the election tomorrow, time is running out to vote. If you haven't had your say, make sure you get your vote into one of the orange boxes at your local library, supermarket or transport station before Midday.

Tomorrow is the The Howick Village Hop!

Head along to enjoy food, entertainment and classic cars. Check out the Howick Village Market in the morning for even more food and shopping.

Lights, laughter, and cheer: Christmas in Howick is almost here Festive fun is set to flow.

🎅“The lighting of the tree is special to this community, and they really turn out for it. It signals the start of the festive season in Howick, so come be part of the celebration!”

Sunday 30 November 6-9pm
Stockade Hill, Howick (Ridge Road)

ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/news/2025/10...

If you don't have your voting papers, you can complete a special vote at selected locations including the Botany Library.

To find out more about candidates, voting, and where to drop off your forms, check out www.voteauckland.co.nz

Last election 22% of those people who didn't vote had completed their forms but never dropped them off - don't let your voice go unheard!

If you've already voted, please encourage your friends and whānau to vote.

Orange Background with writing that says: Vote Today! Drop your voting papers at your local library, supermarket or transport station before voting closes Midday Saturday 11 October 2025. Learn more about candidates, voting and more www.voteauckland.co.nz

📣 Voting closes at Midday this Saturday 11 October 2025!

Drop your completed voting forms into the orange boxes at your local library, supermarket or transport station.

To find out more about candidates, voting, and where to drop off your forms, check out www.voteauckland.co.nz

You can see more (including the source data, other local boards and councillors) on the Auckland Council website: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/about-auckla...

I also attended two workshops online as I was sick, and we've had two workshops entirely online due to technology issues.

Otherwise I have been present in the room for every workshop and business meeting this term.

You'll note I was absent for three workshops:
- 4 May 2023: I was on leave for my partners significant birthday
- 26 Sept 2024: I was at the Governing Body, advocating for Flat Bush representation
- 11 Sept 2025: I was on a leadership course

Absences may be due to leave, illness, bereavement or attending other council business - we don't record the reasons for members being away, you'd need to ask them. We don't record difference between online or in-person - asked staff if we can but told it's not current practice.

In the meantime, I've collated the Howick Local Board data for the last term (January 2023 to September 2025). Over this period we had a total of 40 business meetings and 100 workshops.

For some reason, Auckland Council reports and publishes this information differently for the Governing Body (Mayor and Councillor) - I've asked for the information but it's never been provided.

As part of providing transparency, Auckland Council publishes the attendance for elected members at business meetings and workshops. For Local Boards, these are published every quarter and available online for the whole term.

Being an elected member for Auckland Council is a privilege. But it also comes with responsibilities and we're remunerated for our time. We're not volunteers and it's reasonable to expect that we turn up to do our job.