I have lived in the Waitakere Ranges for 45 years - because my wife and I love the area. Prior to retiring my work life was as a Chef for six years then as a Commercial Accountant for 27 years. (Retired CA membership) My retirement interests are: family, dog ownership, home-handyman projects, keeping fit, playing golf (will resume when my knee replacement settles), and following all sports. I am interested in all Council activities with particular concerns about Council Spending - Do we have good procedures to approve and control Council projects eg How can we spend $250,000 on a roadway speed hump? - then dig it up within a year and how can we spend $800,000 on a public toilet and why do we expensively 'tinker' with controlling foliage fringing our roads - (Use a chainsaw rather than scissors).