Aadil Basha - Candidate for Whau Local Board
Tell us a bit about your (and/or your family’s) New Zealand journey. (in 400 words please)
Brought up in India and worked in Dubai , I enjoy travelling and always wanted to visit NZ someday (scenic beauty watching early morning matches on TV especially 1992 cricket world cup) , my work created a chance for me to visit Auckland , I had wanted to travel and explore NZ anyway, so I took the opportunity ( Who wouldn’t especially as a bachelor) . This was a decade and a half back, it took a while to adjust initially to the quiet and laidback life in Auckland, having lived in cities with lots of buzz and energy, so this was quite slow for me. When I started going on drives and visiting places on weekends outside work, I fell in love with the fascinating scenery and the people of New Zealand.
I got married the following year and decided to settle and make NZ my home , I now live with my family , we have 3 beautiful children , who light up my life, I thoroughly cherish my time with them and seeing them grow.
What motivated/prompted you to stand for local government elections this time? Please also indicate which area/position you are standing for.
I am contesting for Whau Local board member as an Independent candidate.
Whau has been my home now for several years, I love my ward and would like to contribute and help towards shaping its future. Am passionate about my community and community services, I would like to be a fresh positive voice and take our ward towards brighter tomorrow, harnessing its strengths and at the same time working on areas of improvement. I am a listener giving attention to detail with incisive decision-making skills. Someone who loves challenges, I would cherish the opportunity to champion for the community and be the strong voice representing you all, I am contesting as an Independent candidate. I will encourage much needed practical investment in our communities. With basics as priority, practical solutions and regular maintenance is imperative.
Environment is dear to my heart , I have volunteered at Meola Creek restoration for past so many years and its great to see it return back to its glory, I want to make our parks , creeks and our beautiful Whau even more for our future generation.
I have been a Rotary member for a number of years, as a Youth president , working with our Youth has helped me see their talents and skills from close quarters , this has motivated me to work with them more and want to make our youth stronger. As of last census unemployment rate in Whau local board area sits at 9.9 percent for people aged 15+ years and over, compared with 7.1 percent for all of New Zealand, I want to tackle our present youth unemployment issues innovatively.
Safety is of utmost importance to me, therefore I want to promote safe neighbourhood programmes for my ward , better street lights , support and promote street barbecues/block parties and such. My dream is to build and establish my ward to be amongst the safest.
With my business experience and financial background , am good at crunching numbers and data analysis , I would like to bring a firm approach towards funds spent and channel them to the most important community matters of priority.
I’m a person of vision, action and perseverance. It would be my privilege to serve you.
What are the issues concerning the area (ward/council/city) you are standing in? (please list four main)
Issues am passionate about i.e Environment, Youth, Safe neighbourhoods and Transport, are issues clearly needing attention with which public & data concurs.
Environment: I would like to introduce Fruits and Veggies in open public space/community gardens , by using available space efficiently , work with local schools for volunteers and encourage our younger generation , connect with nature & to eat healthy. Plant more trees , promote energy ,water and material efficient new constructions and perhaps give developers incentives to encourage and innovate.
Youth: Unemployment ( 15-24 year olds ) in Whau ward sits at 23.5 % , we need to implement immediate measures to address this. Youth falling under NEET ( Not in Education , Employment and Training) are at 17.7 % as opposed to 10 % in Auckland. I have plans devised to tackle this as priority collaborating with corporates and stopping youth falling through the cracks, by identifying them at the school level early ( when they quit) , were they are ignored. Focus on programs; for them to learn skills and trade are available which can be better used and utilised.
Support safe neighbourhood programs, by informing public its importance. Street barbecues etc and the like so they get to know and look out for each other, help reduce crime rates.
Address transport issues by introducing & enabling more access to areas where there is currently no reach , reduce dependency on cars and encourage more use of public transport , by introducing free rides for a specific period , cutting/allowing from marketing budget , and gather available data to balance price tickets.
Christchurch mosque attacks changed/or should have changed/ how multiculturalism is viewed in New Zealand. Please share some concrete suggestions on how all of us can work together to make Aoteoroa New Zealand a more diverse, inclusive, and multicultural society.
Inclusive, multicultural & diverse societies will flourish and grow more so , with representation and participation of people from various cultures and backgrounds in public positions and involved in decision making. It’s great to see we are moving in that direction and this will make our beautiful NZ even greater.
People have to step-up and be part of the system and take responsibility. We are blessed with people from various areas/fields, cultures and experience who possess wealth of knowledge, this clearly must be harnessed, for ourselves to launch into a brighter future.
I wish to see more of youth and young to be involved & exercise their rights, I would like to create awareness in that age group, it’s vital that we promote the importance to voice their opinion, so we all participate and play our part in our future.