You do the mahi and then you get the treats. It is more important now than ever to keep our people active. We are now a passive society hooked on instant gratification staring at devices. I will support any sports initiative existing or new. I am committed to build on what we have.

From feed back I have had from the community, Opotiki desperately needs a Aquatic Events centre. With a heated swimming pools, gyms for footsal, indoor basketball and netball, spa, health clinic, training centre etc. A modern hub of sports options all in one place for all ages. Similar to Whakatane. Doubling as a events centre. A multi function facility based on the site of the old Opotiki hospital.

We could have new medical centre in the same location. A small hospital.

There is no public swimming pools in Opotiki now. Can you believe that?

I will promote surfing, diving, hunting, trapping, fishing etc vigourisly too. More important life skills and real world common sense to be learnt doing these activities which also put food on the table. The most important skill of all.

A team is only as good as the weakest link. A ship needs a great captain. You only get out what you put in. We learn these lessons from sport
and we stay fit and healthy too. I support all sports initiatives if it gets people active.

Sport in Ōpotiki is ‘alive and well’ having many young sportsmen and women in our District representing not only the BOP/Waikato but New Zealand as well.

What is badly lacking is a facility to allow the likes of for example The Gymnastics Club to continue to allow the kids to continue with their sport in a decent facility - this Council can and should be providing that.

Sport is so important for recreational, health and social skills for All ages.

I want our Ōpōtiki District to be a vibrant place rich in opportunity for our whānau to live, grow, learn and play. Access to multi-purpose community facilities such as an all-year round swimming pool and health spā, outdoor basketball courts, pram-friendly and whānau ora walkways, and a community sports centre that encourage holistic activity and engagement must be a priority.

We have such an enormous natural resource that could be better utilised and leveraged in partnership with other organisations and community groups to make Ōpōtiki, from Maraetotara to Tihirau - a place where our whānau who live here are proud of this place they call home, and for those that live away, that Ōpōtiki is highly regarded as a place of healing and refuge for those who seek to be revitalised by our unique natural environment and the generosity of the ahi kā, our mana whenua Whakatōhea, Ngāi Tai and Te Whānau-ā-Apanui.

I want to represent our whānau. I want to be a game changer.

Vote Kingi4Council. Together we can change the game!

I would love to see sport played in Opotiki like it once was. I played rugby and other sports my whole childhood in Opotiki, as did my children.

Sport is so beneficial to our young people, to get them involved in a community, keep fit and healthy, learn what it is to be in a team and make friends, also for their mental wellbeing.

I would love to hear any ideas from sporting groups on how we can help or assist our Opotiki sporting groups.