Our Team

Andy Baker

Candidate for Franklin Councillor

I am the third generation of my family to call Franklin home. I am seeking your support to be re-elected as your Councillor.

I have worked hard to represent all of Franklin when making regional decisions and have contributed to many of the changes we have been seeing within Council this term while remaining accessible to our communities. We will always face a huge challenge being a mainly rural ward.

We need a Councillor who understands Franklin, it's people and also the Council organisation. I will continue to push for change where it is needed and to work closely with the Local Board to continue to make Franklin's voice heard. I will continue to be open, honest and available.

We might not always agree but I will always be up front, willing to listen and explain and also to fight for things that should be fought for.

Alan Cole

Candidate for Franklin Local Board

Pukekohe Subdivision

I was born and raised in Franklin, have farmed here for 44 years, am married to Gael and we have a 23-year-old daughter. We run a beef-fattening farm in Franklin in addition to having commercial interests in Pukekohe.

I am a member of the Franklin Local Board, currently Deputy Chair, Local board representative on the Pukekohe Business Association, Vice chair Rural Advisory Panel, Vice Chair Manukau Forum and President of Auckland Federated Farmers.

I believe that a strong rural and commercial voice is vital to Franklin, and my aspirations will continue to include, within Team Franklin: rural viability and sustainability; the environment; encouraging employment; rural and commercial business growth in our area; well-planned future infrastructure and development relative to the proposed growth within the Unitary Plan for Franklin, advancing new arterial routes—especially in the future northern Pukekohe ring road sections, walking and cycling trails.

Andrew Kay

Candidate for Franklin Local Board

Pukekohe Subdivision

It’s been an absolute privilege to represent the people of Pukekohe on the Franklin Local Board these past three years. I’ve loved the job of listening to people, helping out where I can, and making sure your concerns are listened to and addressed around the council table.

Whether it’s something big or small, I’ve always tried to be approachable and do what’s right for our community. I’ll continue to fight to keep our rural character protected & push for better roads and transport.

I’m standing again because I want to build on what I have started and continue advocating for you & for things that matter to us all here in Pukekohe.

Merritt Watson

Candidate for Franklin Local Board

Pukekohe Subdivision

I'm running for the Franklin Local Board because I believe our region deserves strong, practical leadership rooted in real-world experience.

As a local business owner based in Pukekohe, I’ve built a company from the ground up, created local jobs, contributed to our community’s growth and now raise my own young family here. But I’ve also seen firsthand the challenges faced by families, small businesses, and everyday residents trying to thrive here.

I want to help ensure Franklin continues to be a place where people can raise their families, grow their businesses, and enjoy a great quality of life.

My focus is on smart growth, better support for locals, and a more connected, future-ready community. I'm not a career politician. I'm a local who cares deeply about where we live, and I'm ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work.

Lesieli Oliver

Candidate for Franklin Local Board

Pukekohe Subdivision

Mālō e lelei, my name is Lesieli and I’m standing for the Franklin Local Board. My husband and I have proudly called Pukekohe home for the past 15 years, raising our four beautiful children here. As a Tongan woman with experience in not-for-profit leadership, education, business, and tech, I offer a grounded, community-focused voice with a strong commitment to service.

For the past seven years, I’ve led an organisation dedicated to improving outcomes for children -supporting academic achievement, school attendance, and overall wellbeing. As a parent of a young family, I understand how vital safety, opportunity, and community connection are to our daily lives.

I love the diversity of our community and I’m passionate about seeing it grow stronger. I’m committed to advocating for community safety, infrastructure that supports growth, and continued investment in the spaces that bring us together - like local buildings, parks, libraries, and community events.

Hunter Hawker

Candidate for Franklin Local Board

Waiuku Subdivision

Waiuku deserves a thriving future, and I’m ready to deliver it.

On my coastal farm in Waiuku with my amazing wife, I’m developing the HighSide community project, NZ’s first coastal paragliding flight park and charity. Boosting tourism and offering “flight therapy” for people with disabilities or depression, fostering hope and connection.

As part of Team Franklin i’ll have access to decades of combined local government expertise and as an ex-Air New Zealand pilot and architect, I bring planning expertise and fresh ideas.

If elected it will be my great honour and privilege to work for the people of Waiuku, to give back to the community and fight for the things our community deserves with honesty, availability and care.

Amanda Hopkins

Candidate for Franklin Local Board

Wairoa Subdivision

I have lived on the Pohutukawa Coast for over 20 years, have served the last three years as your Local Board Member and have been active in our community organisations for many years.

Franklin continues to grow and our infrastructure struggles to keep up. The roads degrade quickly, traffic and heavy truck numbers are increasing, and public transport options are often limited or non-existent, so we have no choice but to drive. My focus is working for better and safer roads and decent public transport.

I am also concerned with the effect of development on our environment and communities. I want to see our areas thrive and grow in a sustainable way. Private Plan Changes as we’ve seen in Drury and Beachlands South have massive knock-on effects for the wider area. These effects must be mitigated, the roads and transport improved, and our lives enhanced with better services and spaces. We also see more applications for industrial activities in our rural areas, or often activity without a consent: where it is not appropriate it should be stopped.

 Council should focus on core services and control its spending. But supporting local groups, events and economic growth leads to happier communities and valuable outcomes, so I support well thought out allocation of funding.

As part of a strong Team Franklin, we can get things done. Problem solving, persistence and collaboration work. We understand Council and have good working relationships.

I worked for many years in the international financial markets before returning to Auckland with my family. I also love sports and am a Board Member of Tennis Auckland and Fencing NZ.

I am committed to working towards providing a better future for Franklin.

Malcolm Bell

Candidate for Franklin Local Board

Wairoa Subdivision

“I do it because I can and I do it because I care about YOU” 

Formally Secondary College teacher and Director of a Multi-National Company. I’ve lived in Beachlands with my wife and have spent at least 2 working days a week on the coast.   

Having served for 4 terms a strong Team approach is vitally important to get things done in Council for YOU.

My Commitments:

  • Work with Vector to finalise undergrounding of power in Old Beachlands

  • Consult further on council hub with Public service desk in Beachlands.

  • Support for youth initiatives, including a Secondary College and Pump Track. 

  • Establish Menzshed and support senior citizens

  • Kerb, Channel and footpath First View.

  • Oversee Targeted rate footpaths throughout Wairoa

  • Support all our rural communities, including for emergency management.. 

  • Reduce speeds around schools and safety

  • Police Beaches more effectively.

  • Increase Commercial Land for local employment

  • Upgrade, renew Playgrounds, Toilets and shade sail at Kahawairahi

Alix Bonnington

Candidate for Franklin Local Board

Wairoa Subdivision

My partner and I have lived and raised our children in Beachlands for 21 years. I have a commercial/communication background and a passion for community.

I come with a desire to learn about local government, the wider community of Franklin, to support and where needed question and challenge.

I have been attending online and in person Franklin Board meetings in recent months to get a head start on the process. I am excited to be included in Team Franklin and believe I can add value to an already experienced group.

Our community is growing fast, and change is inevitable.

Each of us if asked, would have a different set of priorities, my hope would be to future-proof our community by providing adequate spaces to enable us to be a thriving and functional place to live, work and grow.