Bruce Kendall Champions Community and Environment in Local Elections

Bruce Kendall is running as a candidate for the C&R party in the upcoming local elections for the Pakuranga subdivision of the Howick Local Board. With a robust background in both local governance and global business, Kendall aims to leverage his six years of council experience to serve the community more effectively while prioritizing environmental issues.

Kendall emphasizes a commitment to engaging with residents and addressing their concerns. He plans to continue visiting local sites, monitoring community issues, and responding promptly to calls and emails. As a married father with elderly parents, he understands the pressures families face and aims to be an advocate for community needs.

His accomplishments as an Olympic gold medalist and World Champion, as well as coaching Olympic medallists like Barbara Kendall and Lee Lai Shan, reflect his leadership skills and ability to achieve results. Kendall’s extensive global travel has fostered empathy for immigrants, while his lifelong ties to east Auckland provide him with insights into the needs of both long-term residents and newcomers.

Commitment to Environmental and Community Issues

Kendall is passionate about fiscal responsibility, focusing on reducing wasteful spending and enhancing council accountability to ensure that services are delivered without continuous rate hikes or detrimental cuts. He advocates for essential community services, including:

– Weekly rubbish collections
– Safe, clean waterways and beaches
– Quality parks and playgrounds
– Safer streets and public spaces

To improve local infrastructure, he aims to enhance parking options and ensure reliable public transport. Kendall believes that smarter school drop-offs, better intersection designs, and well-maintained footpaths are vital for community safety and convenience.

The state of the Tāmaki Estuary is a significant concern for Kendall, who points out that it experiences approximately 390 sewage spills each year, ranking among Auckland’s most polluted waterways. He calls for the implementation of real-time water safety alerts and immediate upgrades to both stormwater and wastewater systems to protect the environment and public health.

Vision for Sustainable Development and Community Engagement

Kendall supports sensible housing intensification, particularly along the Eastern Busway, which should be backed by adequate infrastructure and transport solutions. He advocates for good design, including off-street parking, to maintain community standards.

His environmental initiatives include expanding the TEEF water sensor program, advocating for shoreline restoration, and supporting local groups working to combat invasive weeds and pests. He also encourages native planting as part of his broader vision for sustainability.

Kendall believes that the council should actively support sports, recreation, arts, and cultural events, as well as promoting local businesses and tourism. He aims to improve the care of Pakuranga’s historic sites and foster cultural festivals that celebrate the area’s diversity.

In his current roles, Kendall serves as the co-chair of the Tāmaki Estuary Environmental Forum, an executive member of the Tāmaki Estuary Protection Society, and is a lead volunteer with the Macleans Park Replant and War on Weeds initiative. He also holds the position of president at Windsurfer LT NZ, leads the Bucklands Beach Restoration project, and is a committee member of the East Tāmaki Dragon Boat Club.

Kendall’s campaign encourages residents to vote for him and his fellow candidates, including Kavanagh and Collins, under the C&R banner. He aims to remain practical, results-driven, and focused on delivering value for the community, working collaboratively to make east Auckland a stronger, healthier, and more vibrant place to live.