The elections are now on us and the names are out, teams have been formed and alliances are being created.

I commend all of the people who have decided to put their name forward. Over the next 6 weeks we will see our mayoral candidates being pulled from one meeting to another, explaining where they want to take the district.

Go-Whangarei (www.gowhangarei.kiwi), the team I joined and support, has the same views and dreams as I do about Council, and it was a real pleasure to be added as one of the team.

On August 17, our Go-Whangarei campaign launched with a buzz and a roar on several forms of media, with people on Facebook either hating or loving what we have had to say.  Go-Whangarei has kept its policies simple and easy to understand. Still, some are questioning the simplicity of our message and how we will get Whangarei to grow.

So who is Go-Whangarei? We are a group of like-minded business people who want to see Whangarei grow and develop. We all have skills that will help that to happen, from the very experienced Bill Rossiter standing in Denby to the young and up and coming Reuben Wright standing in Bream Bay. Dave Blackley, experienced developer and business man, will lead this team as our mayoral candidate for Whangarei.

This is the first time that a full set of 13 councillors and mayor has been offered to Whangarei since the Progress Team in the 1990s.

Whangarei, the opportunity is on us to elect a full team of councillors and mayor so that Whangarei can expand and enjoy growth.  Go-Whangarei has done its part by putting together this team. It’s now your opportunity. Voting will make a real difference to our district’s future.