Kylie Aitken for Mataura Licensing Trust

Kylie Aitken for Mataura Licensing Trust Having been involved in the Gore community my entire life I have chosen to stand for Mataura Licensing Trust Gore Ward.

I aim to bring a fresh perspective shaped by diverse community insight and experience.

11/10/2025

Thank you for your support over the past few weeks. Results are out and today wasn't my day.

But let's all keep MLT accountable and hope for change.

All monthly meetings are open to the public, get along to watch if you are keen.

DON'T FORGET TO GET YOUR VOTES IN BEFORE 12PM SATURDAYToday I had a once in lifetime opportunity thanks to Hokonui Rūnan...
09/10/2025

DON'T FORGET TO GET YOUR VOTES IN BEFORE 12PM SATURDAY

Today I had a once in lifetime opportunity thanks to Hokonui Rūnanga Taiao team to see the kanakana at the Mataura falls be collected and transferred over the falls.
Kanakana are an eel-like fish that has a sucker mouth with h***y teeth and a rasping tongue. Traditionly highly valued food of Māori.

While there, we happened to see Mike Hoffman kayak off the falls a couple of times. Maybe MLT should sponsor his next kayak!

What a amazing place we live!

Not long till voting closes.If you haven't already, cast your vote and encourage others to!DON'T leave it on the coffee ...
02/10/2025

Not long till voting closes.
If you haven't already, cast your vote and encourage others to!

DON'T leave it on the coffee table 😬

Tick my box and pop the envelope in one of the orange bins - places in image.

A vote for me will bring honesty, integrity and transparency to the MLT board.

Yesterday I attended the MLT AGM. The only members of the public that attended were Mayor Ben Bell, Cr MacDonell and mys...
26/09/2025

Yesterday I attended the MLT AGM.
The only members of the public that attended were Mayor Ben Bell, Cr MacDonell and myself.

Was interesting to find out all MLT meetings are open to the public.

A vote for me will bring honesty, integrity and transparency to the MLT board.

Today I have been working on funding applications for a community event I'm planning. Understanding all funding availabl...
12/09/2025

Today I have been working on funding applications for a community event I'm planning.
Understanding all funding available in the community and who to apply for what purpose is tricky to navigate.

MLT don't have clear guidelines on there website (which looks like hasn't been updated much since 2019). No explanations of funding criteria, meeting dates or differentiation between when to apply MLT vs Trust Community Foundation Funding.

This lead me to reflect on MLT Vision, Mission Statement, Operational Principles and Core Values.

Are MLT communicating with the community effectively? 🤔
Is there transparency?

Voting forms are slowly coming out in the mail over the next few weeks, keep an eye out for these, read about candidates...
10/09/2025

Voting forms are slowly coming out in the mail over the next few weeks, keep an eye out for these, read about candidates, make your choices and return to one of orange boxes stated.
Tomorrow night come along to The Bunker to hear from the candidates, one of the last opportunities.

This morning I attended the Parata - Meet the Candidates. Was great to hear from those standing for council and as the o...
06/09/2025

This morning I attended the Parata - Meet the Candidates. Was great to hear from those standing for council and as the only MLT candidate be able chat about my experiences and what I can bring to the MLT board.

Growing up with parent’s role modelling volunteering, led me to start volunteering while still at school.We have seen ma...
05/09/2025

Growing up with parent’s role modelling volunteering, led me to start volunteering while still at school.

We have seen major change in the volunteer sector in the past 10 years; there has been a reduction in the number of people volunteering, with the amount of time people are volunteering increasing. Add to this the cost of living it’s getting harder for organisations to survive.
Being knowledgeable on these changes and others like it, is important to understand so the MLT board can best distribute funding to make it most effective for our community.

Some of the volunteering I have been involved in -
Various sports including basketball committee, referee, coach and manager; touch referee and coach, Ice Hockey committee.
Committee’s including Play Centre, BlueLight, Home and School, Māruawai Matariki Celebration.
Other roles Red Cross Disaster Welfare Team and Red Cross Branch and Blood Bank Volunteer coordinator
Also Hospice Shop, riparian planting, meals on wheels and food parcel delivery.

30/08/2025

Local elections might not come with campaign buses or giant billboards, but they have a big impact on your everyday life. These elections decide who’s in charge of the things that make your town or city tick – from water quality and rubbish collection to public transport, parks, libraries, and community events. They influence how your neighbourhood grows, where housing and businesses are allowed, and how your community prepares for climate change.

The good news? You don’t need a PhD in policy to have a say. You just need to vote. One envelope. A tick or two (or number for STV). Job done. Democracy achieved.

Sure, voting might not feel as instantly satisfying as rage-commenting on the community page. But it actually does something. It helps shape your place — not just today, but 10, 20, 50 years from now.

So go on. Be a voter.

Yesterday morning I had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with a couple of community groups, along with two candidate...
20/08/2025

Yesterday morning I had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with a couple of community groups, along with two candidates standing for Gore District Council Torrone Smith (District Wide Ward) and Mel Cupit (Gore Ward).

Nice to reconnect with some of those I meet though Ready for Living. Lots of great thoughts on the Licensing Trust establishments and funding process.

Thanks for the great discussions.

Interesting hearing from the candidates and mayoral debate tonight, and great to chat with some of the community.
18/08/2025

Interesting hearing from the candidates and mayoral debate tonight, and great to chat with some of the community.

Address

Gore
9710

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