Brent Maru to stand for Community Board

July 22nd, 2016
[by David Armstrong]

Popular community worker and youth advocate Brent Maru has decided to stand for the Motueka Community Board at the upcoming local body elections.

Brent, who is the General Manager - Facilities at Sport Tasman, has been associated with the Motueka Recreation Centre since he was a child, and has also been active on school boards of trustees.

He is often seen MC'ing community events and actively supporting sport-themed events such as the Kaiteriteri fun day and games in the park, often in "disguises" such as that shown in the second photo.

It was known that he was considering standing for a Motueka Ward Councillor position, but has decided that this would introduce some conflicts of interest with his work at Sport Tasman.

With current Community Board chairman Paul Hawkes standing for the Tasman District Council, Brent's entry into the local political scene offers the possibility of further strong and active local leadership.

Brent is currently a Restorative Justice Community Panel Member, president of the Roller Skating Club, Chair of the Motueka High School Board of Trustees, as well as serving as a Justice of the Peace.

He was Facility Manager of the Recreation Centre for 10 years, and has been a NZ youth selector and team manager for the NZ U-20 and U-17 Roller Hockey teams.

Current Community Board member Richard Horrell has also put himself up for re-election.

Comment by Lynette Mytton:
[Posted 22 July 2016]

Good on you Brent. You will do very well!!

Comment by Mary Wilson:
[Posted 22 July 2016]

Good choice, better photo required

Comment by Wendy Brown:
[Posted 22 July 2016]

Go for it Brent. Nobody knows the community better than you

Comment by John Young:
[Posted 22 July 2016]

Good on you Brent. You will be an asset

Comment by Ruby Aberhart:
[Posted 22 July 2016]

Why not the full council? I believe you would be a good councillor.

Comment by Brent Maru:
[Posted 22 July 2016]

Thanks for all the feedback. The great thing is that I love my current job and also love Motueka so the opportunity to keep working and also work towards representing Motueka is fantastic. I had some great advice recently from the Golden Bay Community Board Chair and that was at community board level it is all about your town. At Council level it is about the region. For me Motueka is where I was born, where I have grown up, raised a family and the place I call home so what an absolute privillege if I get in that is! The Motueka Community has given me so much so absolutely keen to give back.

Comment by Alastair Paulin:
[Posted 22 July 2016]

Please let this be your official candidate photo Brent.

Comment by Don Grant:
[Posted 23 July 2016]

About time Brent, though I think you'd be better as a TDC councillor.

Comment by Ann McFadgen:
[Posted 23 July 2016]

Go Brent- you'd be a terrific addition to the Mot Community Board.

Comment by Terry Frater:
[Posted 23 July 2016]

This is great news. How proud Paulette would be!

Comment by Rae Dozell:
[Posted 27 July 2016]

Great news to hear of Brent standing for the Community Board - he will be a brilliant community representative, and has achieved the respect of many in Motueka for his ongoing hard work. Well done to both he and Jody for their commitment to the local community.

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