Working with Ken Turner and Sunil Kaushal and the WestWards Team. I have lived in the Waitakere Ranges since I was a child. On my first day in Huia I got lost in the bush behind the house and discovered my place to stand. I am proud mother of 1, grandmother of 2 and great-grandmother of 3. I have affiliated myself with the Westwards because we are of one mind, advocating for increased funding for road maintenance, our parks and community facilities. That community initiatives must be practicable and endorsed by the communities these initiatives will serve. We are lucky to have so unique an environment, this precious resource has given me so much, it’s time I pay it forward. Huia and the Waitakere’s is my place to stand, as it is for many and it needs to be open for us and our children’s children to find their place.