Shore Action
Founded1 January 2013 (1 January 2013)
Merger ofTeam of Independents
Political positionCentre-left
Colours  Purple
North Shore Ward
0 / 2
Kaipātiki Local Board
8 / 8
Website
https://www.shoreaction.org.nz

Shore Action is a political ticket which contests the boards and council seats in the North Shore Ward of the Auckland Council.[1] They have a strong focus on retention of local assets and investment in the natural environment, along with a focus on local participation in local body politics.

Grant Gillon, a former Alliance Party MP, and AUT lecturer, along with Anne-Elise Smithson, a Community Development Coordinator for the Children's Autism Foundation, contested the North Shore Ward seat on the Auckland City Council.[2] The wider team contested the local boards on the North Shore Ward.

While neither Gillon nor Smithson won a council seat for the ward, Shore Action did win seats on the Devonport-Takapuna and Kaipātiki Local Boards, and the Birkenhead Licensing Trust.

Policies

Shore Action fought to retain the Takapuna Beach Holiday Park, opposing plans for a hard stand on the reserve. They also wish to save the Anzac St Carpark (currently home of the Takapuna Sunday Markets).[2]

They wish to invest in various environmental services by increasing volunteer networks, which they believe will aid in pest eradication and the reduction of pollution in urban streams and coastal areas. Smithson made the environment her central campaign platform and has stated: “Our streams, bush and wildlife are struggling and our unique North Shore environment needs protecting as our city grows. Healthy ecosystems help our communities flourish".[3]

In July 2018 Shore Action announced a significant funding boost for Kaipātiki environmental initiatives - securing $400,000 of funding for the 2018/19 financial year - a 38% increase towards environmental initiatives compared to the previous financial year. This increase would support clean streams, pest-free reserves, urban canopy protection, an open space management plan and a Kauri Dieback Strategy for Kaipātiki. Says Smithson: “Two-thirds of Auckland’s native species are threatened with extinction and kauri could die out completely in the next 30 years. The time to act is now.” [4]

In August 2019, Shore Action announced that the Kaipātiki Local Board had managed to secure 47% of the total Auckland-wide kauri budget to be spent in the Kaipātiki area. This would go towards upgrading bush tracks in kauri forest, and installing cleaning stations at track entrances.

Throughout the instrumentation of their policies, Shore Action aims to keep their voters and ratepayers adequately informed. They also have a focus on better public transport, advocating for easing congestion on Lake Road as well as highlighting a need for heritage protection.[2]

Shore Action advocated for shade sails to be put up over all playgrounds in the area; the protection from the sun would allow the playgrounds to last longer and prevent the risk of skin cancer in children.

Elected representatives

Current representatives

Shore Action holds seats on the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board, Kaipātiki Local Board, and the Birkenhead Licensing Trust.

Former representatives

Election results

Election Candidates nominated Seats won
North Shore Ward Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Kaipātiki Local Board Birkenhead Licensing Trust North Shore Ward Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Kaipātiki Local Board Birkenhead Licensing Trust
2013 1/2 2/6 4/8 1/6
0 / 2
2 / 6
4 / 8
1 / 6
2016 2/2 5/6 6/8 1/6
0 / 2
2 / 6
4 / 8
1 / 6
2019 2/2 (As More for the Shore) Did Not contest 6/8 Did not contest
0 / 2
 Did Not contest
5 / 8
1 / 6
(As Your Community Trust)
2022 Did Not Contest Did Not Contest 8/8 2/6
0 / 2
 Did Not Contest
8 / 8
2 / 6

2013 local body elections

Many of those who contested the 2016 local elections for Shore Action had contested the 2013 local elections under the ticket 'Team of Independents' alongside Grant and John Gillon. Shore Action holds the same values as 'Team of Independents'; Shore Action came as a re-branding of the same issues but with an increased focus on defending the natural environment. Shore Action retains a focus within the North Shore Ward, whereas Team of Independents supported a candidate beyond the North Shore for the Upper Harbour Local Board.

Of the two candidates that ran for the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board both were elected. However, only three of the four which ran for the Kaipātiki Local Board won. The only candidate to contest the Upper Harbour Local Board, did not win. Gillon did not win his council bid, and came fourth in his attempt to win one of the two seats.

The following are the 2013 local body election results for Team of Independents.[5]

Name Candidacy Votes Elected
Grant Gillon North Shore Ward Councillor 12,273 ✘
Devonport-Takapuna Local Board 7,185 ✔
Kaipātiki Local Board 9,800 ✔
Jan O'Connor Devonport-Takapuna Local Board 6,774 ✔
John Gillon Kaipātiki Local Board 7,384 ✔
Gary Stephen Thornton Kaipātiki Local Board 3,383 ✘
Lorene Pigg Kaipātiki Local Board 6,631 ✔
Uzra Casuri Balouch Upper Harbour Local Board 3,530 ✘
Paula Gillon Birkenhead Licensing Trust 4410[5] ✔

2016 local body elections

Auckland Council - North Shore ward

Grant Gillon ran alongside Anne-Elise Smithson to contest the 2 available seats on the council. Both failed to win, however Gillon came a very close third to Richard Hills who narrowly won the seat. He received 12,523 to Hills 12,651.[6] Smithson came in fifth on 5,967, behind Auckland Future's Danielle Grant on 6,415 and above Auckland Future's Fay Freeman on 5,308.[6]

With neither Gillon or Smithson receiving first or second, Shore Action had no candidates elected to the Council.

Devonport-Takapuna local board

Gillon also ran for the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board, already serving on the board, he was re-elected with 7,640 votes, coming in third of six candidates. After the board initially sat, Gillon was elected Chair.[6]

Jan O'Connor, a 'Team of Independents' incumbent on the board stood for re-election and won, coming in fourth on 6,688 votes.[6]

Of the five candidates for six seats, only Gillon and O'Connor were successful. Trish Deans, Rohan Lord, and Garry Venus were not elected.

Kaipātiki local board

Like Gillon in Devonport-Takapuna, Smithson ran for the Kaipātiki Local Board. She was elected coming in seventh at 7,014.[6]

John and Paula Gillon, Grant Gillon's son and daughter, were also elected to the board receiving 10,766 and 8,921 respectively coming in third and forth.[6] John Gillon, a 'Team of Independents' candidate was elected Deputy Chair of the board, alongside Auckland Future's Danielle Grant who was elected Chair for the first 15 months, with Gillon taking over as Chair in February 2018[7] Paula Gillon, also ran as Shore Actions only candidate for the Birkenhead Licensing Trust, she received 5,012 coming first and won one of the six available seats.[8]

Adrian Tyler was also elected to the board receiving 6,934 votes.[6]

Of the six candidates for eight seats, both Sarah Nilson and Lisa Ducat were not elected.

2016 local body election results for Shore Action

Name Candidacy Votes Elected
Grant Gillon North Shore Ward Councillor 12,523 ✘
Devonport-Takapuna Local Board 7,640 ✔
Anne-Elise Smithson North Shore Ward Councillor 5,967 ✘
Kaipātiki Local Board 7,014 ✔
Jan O'Connor Devonport-Takapuna Local Board 6,688 ✔
Trish Deans Devonport-Takapuna Local Board 5,262 ✘
Rohan Lord Devonport-Takapuna Local Board 4,560 ✘
Garry Venus Devonport-Takapuna Local Board 4,509 ✘
John Gillon Kaipātiki Local Board 10,766 ✔
Paula Gillon Kaipātiki Local Board 8,921 ✔
Birkenhead Licensing Trust 5,012 ✔
Lisa Ducat Kaipātiki Local Board 4,699 ✘
Adrian Tyler Kaipātiki Local Board 6,934 ✔
Sarah Nilson Kaipātiki Local Board 6,279 ✘

Upon winning a seat on the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board, Grant Gillon was elected Chair at the board's first meeting.[9] John Gillon, was elected Kaipātiki Local Board Deputy Chair at the first meeting and took over as Chair in February 2018.[7]

2019 Local Body Elections

In 2019, Shore Action stood six candidates for the Kaipātiki Local Board: John and Paula Gillon, Anne-Elise Smithson, Adrian Tyler, and newcomer to the ticket Melanie Kenrick. Danielle Grant, who was elected under the Labour Party ticket, Kaipatiki Voice in 2013-2016, and the Auckland Future ticket in 2016, also stood for Auckland Council under the More For The Shore ticket as well as joining the Shore Action ticket for Kaipātiki Local Board.

Paula Gillon ran again for the Birkenhead Licensing Trust but under the ticket of 'Your Community Trust'.[10]

Jan O'Connor who ran on the Shore Action ticket in 2016, and on the Team on Independents ticket in 2013 ran on the ticket 'Heart of the Shore' for the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board.[11]

2019 local body election results for Shore Action

All except 1 candidate, Anne-Elise Smithson, were elected.[12]

Name Candidacy Votes Elected
John Gillon Kaipātiki Local Board 11686 ✔
Danielle Grant 11420 ✔
Paula Gillon 10289 ✔
Melanie Kenrick 9618 ✔
Adrian Tyler 8971 ✔
Anne-Elise Smithson 7007 ✘

More for the Shore

Danielle Grant again ran for North Shore Ward Councillor alongside Grant Gillon on the ticket of 'More for the Shore'.[13] Gillon did not run for Kaipātiki, or run on the Shore Action ticket. The two council candidates have endorsed Shore Action for the Kaipātiki Local Board creating an informal link between the two tickets.[13]

Both Danielle Grant and Grant Gillon lost their attempt to win a seat as North Shore Ward Councillor.[12]

Name Candidacy Votes Elected
Danielle Grant North Shore Ward Councillor 12796 ✘
Grant Gillon 12280 ✘

References

  1. ↑ "Local body elections hotly contested on Auckland's North Shore". Stuff. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 "Shore Action Launches: Announces North Shore Ward Candidates | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  3. ↑ "Shore Action Selects Kaipātiki Local Board Candidates". www.scoop.co.nz. 15 July 2016. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
  4. ↑ "Big Boost for environmental initiatives on the North Shore". 15 May 2019. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
  5. 1 2 "21 October 2013 - Declaration of result of election for Auckland Council 2013 elections". www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Election results 2016". www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  7. 1 2 "Contact Kaipātiki Local Board". www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  8. ↑ "Auckland Council Election Results - Licensing Trusts" (PDF).
  9. ↑ "Contact Devonport-Takapuna Local Board". www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  10. ↑ "Auckland local body elections: Licensing trust candidates announced". Stuff. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  11. ↑ "Heart of The Shore". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  12. 1 2 "Auckland Council 2019 Election Results" (PDF).
  13. 1 2 "More For The Shore". More For The Shore. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
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