Community worker puts his hand up for Napier Council

Will Jenkins has put up his hand for Napier City Council. Photo / Supplied

A community worker is running for Napier City Council in the Nelson Park Ward.

Will Jenkins says he knows the ward well, having lived in Pirimai and Onekawa for the past 15 years.

He managed Creative Napier for almost four years, which he said was when he learned how the council works.

"We had a contract with the council, which meant I had to report our progress on a regular basis."

He was a facilitator on the Napier Pilot City Trust and volunteered for several years after his contract ended.

He spent two terms as president of the EIT Students Association while studying art and design.

He is now an intern at Elim Church and works part-time in alcohol and drug support work and contract photography.

He has also served on the boards' of Whatever it Takes, DOVE Hawke's Bay and the HB Community Law Centre.

He said he began his involvement with Whatever it Takes improve the circumstances of those living with mental illness.

"While that stayed with me, in recent years the trust has been very involved in establishing social housing projects and working with the city's homeless.

"These remain significant issues and it is important that people round the council table understand the need so effective solutions can be found."

He says he wants to see Napier grow and thrive.

"Let's get our water issues sorted, come up with good solutions for the Onekawa pools and city library.

"We also need to continue to make the city family-friendly, a good place to live for seniors and for new business to locate in."

He said there is diversity of wealth across Napier and rates rises need to be kept reasonable and money spent wisely.

Finally, he wants to see more native shrubs and trees throughout the city.

"Let's make it a regular sight to see the kereru, tui, bellbird etc in all our gardens."