Ko wai au? Who am I?
Kō Ngapuhi toku iwi
Nō Kerikeri ahau
Kō Rachel Smith toku ingoa
Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena tatou katoa.
Born on the coastline of Te Hiku, the Far North is my home. I am a mother of 3 children (plus a sausage dog!), a wife, a daughter, and a ratepayer. Raising my children in the community that educated and shaped who I am today gives me an incredible sense of pride, ownership and value of what the Far North not only has to offer, but what we could be, in the future. With a background in marketing and communications, and financial management, I have spent the last three years serving my community at the table of the Bay of Islands - Whangaroa Community Board. These three years have given me an unwavering sense for the opportunities that are presented to our District at both a local, and central level.
My children attend our local schools, they participate in and utilise our many sports offerings, and as a family we value the strength of our community. Being introduced to the world of civic participation at the age of 6 through community projects, I value the need to participate and have worked hard to install this value in our children, and I am incredibly proud of the ways they each input this value back into their surroundings.
I offer integrity and honesty in my representation, with an ability to know when to shut up and listen. I am committed to the successive leadership of the Far North.
#SMITHFORFARNORTH
Goals
The District of the Far North is rich in history, environment, and diversity. The challenges that we face together, as a District, are the very strengths that will empower sustainability if we commit to valuing and adapting. As we feel economic tightenings, the pressure of rising sea levels, and learn more about the negative effects we are having on our places, as people we are dependent on solid, cohesive and clear messaging from our leadership. I aim to remain accountable and communicative, to hold our people, places and progress, at the forefront of every decision I make on your behalf. I will expect to be empowered in process with substantial information that allows for robust debate and open-minded approaches. Encouraging innovation and exploration will allow a more outcome-driven approach to the way we address our challenges, and ensure that the Far North not only meets its legislative requirements, but does so while ensuring that the wellbeing of our people is priority.
ENGAGE
An engaged, informed community is an empowered community. Trust cannot be gained without open communication channels, and is key to building relationships that are accessible, accountable and valued.
CONNECT
Connections between people and places ensure that communities can thrive. By ensuring that our people can participate in their communities equitably, we encourage well-being through added value. Strengthening connections is integral to recognising the potential of the Far North.
ACCOUNT
Accountability is vital to the promotion of trusted relationships. Representation must expect to be held to account by their communities if they are to effectively engage in two-way conversations and make the hard decisions required to progress.
ADAPT
Our communities are rich in diversity, bringing a depth that is unique to the Far North. Acknowledging this diversity in the way decisions are made will ensure that unique needs remain at the forefront of those decisions. In order to adapt, our minds must be open to both opportunities and challenges.
#SMITHFORFARNORTH
Whatungarongaro te tangata toitū te whenua
As man disappears from sight, the land remains
Priorities
I am committed to the sustainable and equitable District that I know the Far North can be, and will bring an open-minded approach to the way I represent you in decision-making processes. These are key areas that I feel strongly about, and will firmly advocate for in my representation;
Engaging and empowering youth
Equitable, accessible public spaces
Community-led partnerships and development that are sustainably supported through policy
Cohesion between Council and Community Boards
Alternative and additional transportation connections
The need to adapt with our changing climate
Protecting our environment
Addressing waste needs through innovation
As your ward councillor, I will ensure that I remain accessible to and engaged with the communities I am elected to represent. I will expect you to hold me to account on my decisions, and in return I will hold you accountable to ensuring that engagement is a two-way conversation. By governing our District with a firm, pragmatic, yet positive approach, we will ensure that not only can we address the issues and overcome the challenges, but we will progress for a sustainable tomorrow. I am confident that I will govern, and represent you, in the way that our District needs.
#SMITHFORFARNORTH
