This is Our Community, Our Voice. Glen Olsen, why I am standing for the Paraparaumu Ward

Glen Olsen and Youngest Son, both Born at Paraparaumu Hospital

Paraparaumu isn’t just where I live – Born and raised in Paraparaumu, it’s my home in every sense of the word. My family’s roots here stretch back over 55 years. Eight years ago, I returned to Paraparaumu to raise my own family in the place I love, and that shaped me. Today, I live here with my wife, our three primary school-aged children, and my retired mother, which provides me with a strong insight into the needs of our diverse community.

Over my three years as your Chair of the Paraparaumu Community Board, I’ve seen how decisions made at Council can affect our community, our daily life, and how they can shape our economy and our environment. 

I have learnt that the only influence comes from voting at the Council table, the vote that our Community Boards lack. These decisions matter. They affect our rates, local amenities, green spaces, roads, and the services we rely on. But too often, the decision-making process feels distant and disconnected from the people who pay the rates and are the ones it impacts most.

One danger in local government is when elected representatives forget that their role is to represent – not to dictate. In a democracy, we are not elected to decide for the community based on personal opinion; we are elected to listen to our community, ensuring the collective voice is genuinely heard and acted upon.

When was the last time the Council had a frank consultation on issues that affect us most? Too often, consultation is a rushed, comes over as predetermined and little more than a box-ticking exercise. For Paraparaumu to thrive, we need a Council and elected members that actively engage with residents early in the process, listen to various perspectives, and explain how our feedback then shapes decisions.

That means being:

• Proactive – taking the lead on local priorities rather than waiting for others to set the agenda.

• Transparent – openly share all relevant information, including why the Council is requested to make a decision.

• Accountable – show how every dollar of spent ratepayer money gives real value for our community.

Kapiti can have both affordable rates and high-quality services by managing our resources wisely and focusing on projects that deliver tangible, long-term benefits.

I hold a Master’s degree in Leadership and Sustainability, own a location business, and bring valuable governance experience through my leadership roles. This combination gives me a strong understanding of both community needs and economic responsibility. During the first COVID-19 lockdown, I founded BSN Kapiti (Business Support Network Kapiti) to provide timely information, bring our community together through peer support, and provide resources to help local businesses survive unprecedented challenges. I continue to serve as a committee member of KEDA, where we work to ensure our district’s economic strategy supports both local entrepreneurs and the wider community.

This year, for these reasons and more, I’m standing for Paraparaumu Ward. I want a Council that listens, leads, and delivers – one that works with the community, not just for or worse yet - against it. Together, we can make sure our shared voice is strong, clear, and impossible to ignore.

This is our community, and we have a voice. Together, we can make sure our voice is heard!

I would love the opportunity to represent you through as one of your Paraparaumu Ward Councillors.

Our Community, Our Voice: Let’s Make it Heard!