Dr Janet Tupou - Kaipātiki Local Board

18/08/2026

🇹🇴 Happy Tongan Language Week! 🇹🇴

This week celebrates the language of Tonga in Aotearoa:
the beauty, richness and strength of our Tongan language - ko hotau lea, ko hotau tukufakaholo, ko hotau tu’unga ❤️

May we continue to speak it, teach it, cherish it and pass it on to the next generation. Our language carries our stories, our values, our culture and our identity 🇹🇴

Here are some simple phrases that you incorporate into your everyday conversations this week 🙌🌸

18/08/2026

Everyone I run into lately starts the conversation with, “I haven’t seen you around, what have you been up to?” 🤔

Well… I’ve just had my second baby, and she’s almost 3 months old 😌

Balancing a public-facing role while growing a family is definitely not for the weak. I’ve had to step back from community events, meetings and various hui, and although I’ve been missing from the spaces I’m usually in, honestly… it doesn’t feel like I’ve missed anything at all 🥰

Right now, I’m exactly where I’m meant to be: soaking up this precious season with my growing family 💕

As I slowly transition back into public workshops, both online and in person, I’m reminded of the important role mothers play in our communities and society. Motherhood doesn’t mean stepping away from purpose, sometimes it gives us an even deeper understanding of service, leadership, connection and the people we’re here to serve.

I’m slowly finding my rhythm again 🤍

Over the coming months, I’ll be sharing more updates on what this season looks like for me as an elected member who has welcomed two children while serving in office: the realities, the lessons, the balancing act & the perspective motherhood has brought to my role ✅🌸

12/11/2025

What’s for dinner tonight? 🍱🥘

The Wairau Foodcourt has a great selection of Asian, Indian, Filipino and Chinese cuisine 🥣🥢 not to mention a little shop that sells fresh juices and smoothies. My favourite dish will have to be the Sambal Fried Rice (mild), Salmon Bento box, Teriyaki Sizzling Beef and the Apple/Pineapple/Orange fresh juice. All reasonably priced too!

Support your local and dip into the Wairau foodcourt if you’re pushed for time or having a takeaway night 🙌✅

10/11/2025

Big glow-up alert for A F Thomas Park (Takapuna Golf Course)! ⛳️

Want a cat/dog park in the area? A mini Disneyland in your own backyard? Okay maybe not that ambitious - but now’s the chance to have your say on what A F Thomas could look like!

The suburb of Wairau been through a lot since the 2023 floods 🥲 now it’s time for a fresh start. We’re turning A F Thomas Park into a next-level space that’s smart, green and made for everyone 🙌

Here’s what’s coming:
- Wetlands that soak up the stormwater (bye-bye floods!)
- Protection for 150+ homes and local care homes
- Easier, safer access to schools, shops & North Shore Hospital
- Open spaces to chill, walk, play & connect

Oh and golf lovers, we got you ⛳ Golf’s part of the park’s story, and the Kaipātiki Local Board want your voice in what’s next ✅

This is our chance to reimagine A F Thomas Park — safer, greener, cooler. Let’s build something epic together 🙌

Have your say and help shape the future of Wairau!

Click on this link for more information on how to submit your thoughts, you can also present to us in person if that’s your preference 🙌 make it count!

https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/af-thomas-park

09/11/2025

Mālō ‘aupito!

Feeling so humbled and grateful to be re-elected to our local board. Mālō ‘aupito to everyone who showed your support, encouragement, and trust. It truly means the world to me 💞

In the Tongan way, tautua (service) is about giving with ‘ofa (love), faka‘apa‘apa (respect), and mamahi‘i me‘a (dedication). I’m committed to serving our community with these values at heart, listening, learning, and working hard for all of us.

To my family, friends, and our wider community, ‘ofa lahi atu. Thank you for believing in me and for walking this journey together. Here’s to another term of service, unity, and growth 🩷🇹🇴

I’ll be sharing more on this platform, so come along for the journey.

“Fofola e fala kae talanoa e kainga” — lay out the mat so the people may dialogue 🗣️

07/10/2025

The countdown is on! 🙌✅

✔Voting closes this Saturday 11th October✔

So far in Kaipātiki only 14.3% of voters have returned their ballot papers. If you still need to return your papers you can drop them in the ballot boxes at the library or outside Woolworths. If you are unsure of where you can vote you can enter your address on this site and it will show you the nearest ballot box:
https://voteauckland.co.nz/en/information-for-voters/where-to-vote.html

If you haven't received your voting papers, have lost them or are not enrolled, you can cast a special vote at either Birkenhead or Takapuna Libraries 🗳

The Shore Action team is a mix of experienced and fresh candidates for the Kaipātiki Local Board for the 2025 Auckland Council election.

The Shore Action team has led a positive and strong Kaipātiki Local Board and made huge progress for our area. This election we are standing a team of eight candidates prepared to take action to deliver for our local communities.

We ask that you please vote for John Gillon, Dave Kaio, Danielle Grant, Paula Gillon, Melanie Kenrick, Dr Janet Tupou, Dr Raymond Tan and Tim Spring for the Kaipātiki Local Board. ✔✔✔✔✔✔✔✔

Authorised by: Paula Gillon [email protected]

07/10/2025

Our ancestors navigated vast oceans with courage, strength, and wisdom - that same spirit lives in you today 💪🏽🌊

Local government decisions affect our schools, our housing, our parks, our buses, our churches: our future. 📚🏡⛪

🗳️ Your vote is your voice. And our voices deserve to be heard — loud, proud, and united.

Whether you’re voting for the first time or the tenth, your vote matters. Let’s show up, speak up, and shape the future we want for our aiga, our villages & our next generation. 💙✨

📅 Vote in the local government elections! Voting ends Saturday 11th Oct, 12pm ✅

Talofa, Malo e lelei, Kia orana, Bula vinaka, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Tālofa, Mauri, Yokwe, Kam na mauri! 🌺

Pasifika voices matter - and your vote is power 🙌
Local elections impact our homes, schools, jobs, transport, and the future of our tamaiti (children). If you don’t vote, your voices can be left out of the decisions that shape our lives.
Stand up for our communities, our culture, and our future. Vote for your aiga. Vote for your village ✅
Tag your family, church crew, neighbours and friends - it's important to show up and be counted!‼️

03/10/2025

A huge shoutout to my amazing church family for helping deliver our Shore Action fliers around the neighbourhood, your support means the world to me! 💛🙏

We’re one week out from Election Day - don’t forget to get your vote in & have your say! 🗳️ ✅

14/09/2025

The mana and citizen knowledge that Dave brings to the table is unmatched, what a huge blessing it is to have him on our Shore Action team 🙌 Change starts at the local level & Dave is the kind of leader who listens, learns, and leads with purpose. Let’s back someone who’s truly for the people 🌟 ✅🙌

Introducing Dave Kaio!!

Dave Kaio is a new Shore Action candidate for the Kaipātiki Local Board at this year's election and definitely deserves your vote. Dave has strong links within our community including with our sports groups, and his work within Public Policy will be of huge value on the Local Board. With voting papers out this week please give one of your votes to Dave Kaio!!

Below Dave introduces himself in his own words:

I’m standing for election to the Kaipātiki Local Board with the Shore Action team. I care deeply about this community and I’m ready to work hard for our people and places. When your voting papers arrive I’d be honoured to receive one of your votes.

A bit about me:
Kaipātiki is my home. It’s where my whānau live, where I coach and support our local clubs and where our bush tracks, parks and waterfronts keep us grounded and connected.

My journey has taken me from 25 years of service in the Royal New Zealand Navy to frontline work with Oranga Tamariki and into some of the toughest environments as a Welfare and Transport Manager in international refugee camps and Facilities Manager at Mt Eden Prison. As a former member of the Royal New Zealand Navy I am also a proud member of the Birkenhead RSA, where service and community remain at the heart of my values. These experiences taught me resilience, accountability and the importance of putting people first.

Today I work as a Policy Manager for Te Puni Kōkiri in Tāmaki Makaurau representing the ministry on the Homelessness Collective and leading policy and investment in housing, employment, workforce development, procurement, export and business growth. I’m also a member of the Institute of Directors and I deliver trustee training for iwi and hapū helping strengthen governance around whenua Māori, papakāinga, sustaining marae and supporting whānau.

I also strongly support the establishment of a He Oranga Wairua marae in Beach Haven. A marae here would give tamariki, rangatahi and whānau a cultural and spiritual centre that strengthens identity, wellbeing and community connection.

My approach:
I know my way around complex budgets, planning and accountable decision making. But more importantly I believe in collaboration. Real progress comes when we work together councillors, MPs, agencies, community groups and council to solve problems and get things done. I’m approachable, I listen and I’ll always follow through.

I am passionate about both sport and the arts. I’ve been involved with the Northcote Tigers Rugby League Club where sport is about more than just games, it’s about whānau, resilience and opportunity for our tamariki and rangatahi. I also draw inspiration from the work of New Zealand artist Sophia Minson and local Māori carver and artist Natanahira Te Pona. Creativity and cultural expression are vital for our community’s identity and wellbeing.

My priorities for Kaipātiki:
🛣️ Infrastructure and transport: invest in resilient infrastructure, reduce congestion, make streets safer for walking and cycling and improve local connections
🌿 Protecting what we love: our parks, bush tracks, waterways and strong community spirit
💰 Responsible spending: making sure every rates dollar delivers value for today and tomorrow
📊 Transparent budgets: clear priorities, measurable outcomes and open reporting back to you
🏉 Sport and community facilities: support our clubs, schools and facilities so tamariki, rangatahi and seniors can play, connect and thrive
🧭 Front foot leadership: owning the big calls, not passing the buck and being upfront with the community
🗣️ Listening and acting: open kōrero, community forums and follow through you can count on
💼 Housing, jobs and local business: support apprenticeships, local procurement, Māori enterprises and vibrant town centres
🎨 Arts and culture: back local artists, creative spaces and cultural initiatives that bring our community together

I’m proud to stand with Shore Action, a team of community minded people who get results. Together we’ve backed local facilities, community events, safer streets and clearer budgeting. I want to keep that momentum going for Kaipātiki.
I’d love your support. Please share this kaupapa with your whānau and neighbours and most importantly make your vote count.

Authorised by Dave Kaio [email protected]

11/09/2025

Pleased to see my fellow board member Danielle Grant running for council! Danielle brings a powerful mix of experience, dedication, and a true heart for community. She’s a thoughtful leader who listens, takes action, and never backs down from doing what’s right 🙌✅ Danielle Grant for Council ✅🩷

I’m proud to announce that I am standing as your Councillor for the North Shore Ward.

After 12 years of service on the Kaipātiki Local Board, I’m committed to the North Shore.

I stand up for our community and focus on the big issues. We must continue to control rates, urgently fix infrastructure, manage Auckland Transport and remain committed to our environment.

I want to speed up infrastructure investment to secure well-managed flood protection for the North Shore. I want to see smart investment in sport, including golf, and co-investment with schools for community use. And I want to grow our town centres and deliver better local employment options.

I’m looking forward to seeing you during the campaign and hearing what’s important to you.

"I listen first, ask questions to find the facts, then act.
Every decision I make starts with 'How does this help the people I serve?"

"Leadership isn't just a title for me - it's how I naturally operate, bringing people together to achieve shared goals."

Danielle Grant’s priorities for the North Shore:

• Infrastructure – speed up infrastructure investment into the North Shore to secure safe drinking water, well-managed waste and flood management. Support the appropriate development of our town centres.

• Sport and recreation - greater investment in sport, focusing on youth wellbeing, improved field access and court facilities, co-investment into school sporting facilities for community use, support golf alongside flood protection at AF Thomas Reserve, investment into aging facilities and improved maintenance.

• Economic development – invest in economic development initiatives to grow our town centres, develop Wairau Valley flood prevention plans, increase local employment and attract investment into the North Shore.

• Support Mayor Wayne Brown’s priorities to ‘Fix Auckland’: Stop Wasting Money, Make the Most of our Environment and Manage AT.

Check out my new website at www.daniellegrant.co.nz and join the conversation.

If you would like to support my campaign with flyer delivers, hosting a billboard or other support, please do get in contact.

Tick Danielle Grant for Council and post your completed voting papers before 7 October or take them to your local supermarket or library before 12 noon on Saturday 11 October.

Authorised by Danielle Grant, [email protected]