Deb Harding - Māori Ward Whangārei

Deb Harding - Māori Ward Whangārei Councillor for Whangārei District Council Māori Ward

24/10/2025

Mahi a te mahi!🌿💚

Over this term I’ve seen the real value of strong advocacy, for our whānau and hapū, our coastal and rural communities a...
10/10/2025

Over this term I’ve seen the real value of strong advocacy, for our whānau and hapū, our coastal and rural communities and the small businesses that keep our local economy alive.
Supporting Māori wards has been vital in ensuring mana whenua voices are heard and respectedhonouring Te Tiriti and strengthening local decision-making.
It hasn’t always been easy, but through focused working groups and collaboration, we’ve achieved meaningful results for our whānau, marae, hapū and hāpori.
And as for the recent plaque makeover — well, let’s just say not everyone’s a fan 😂. But hey, you can’t let the small stuff ruffle your feathers. You just keep showing up, doing the mahi, and staying humble. Mahi a te mahi.
If re-elected, I’m ready to build on that groundwork and keep pushing for progress that truly reflects our community voices. 💪🏽🌊🌿 Ngā mihi, Deb Harding.

TE WIKI WRAP-UP 26/9Kia ora! That’s a wrap for our final Council hui this term.E mihi ana Nicki Wakefield for joining th...
26/09/2025

TE WIKI WRAP-UP 26/9

Kia ora! That’s a wrap for our final Council hui this term.
E mihi ana Nicki Wakefield for joining the public kōrero and tautoko to Te Karearea. Still plenty mahi ahead!

Last haerenga for outgoing councillors Patrick Holmes, Gav Benney and the infamous Phil Halse.
Let’s see what unfolds once the election results are in! 🗳️

It’s been awesome attending different candidate meet-ups throughout this campaign, with the latest being at Pride HQ - Whangarei 🌈
Mihi nunui to everyone who showed up.

Don’t forget… your vote counts! ✅


Very relaxed candidate hang out hui hosted by our Pride community on Sunday with a reka shared kai amongst all . Ngā mih...
22/09/2025

Very relaxed candidate hang out hui hosted by our Pride community on Sunday with a reka shared kai amongst all . Ngā mihi! 🏳️‍🌈🙏🏽

While up in Te Hiku this week, I was lucky enough to catch the start of the hikoi in Kaitaia celebrating 50 years of Te ...
17/09/2025

While up in Te Hiku this week, I was lucky enough to catch the start of the hikoi in Kaitaia celebrating 50 years of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori 🌿🖤🤍❤️

Incredible to see so many people of all ages walking together in unity, carrying our reo proudly through the streets. Moments like this remind us that te reo is alive, thriving, and continues to grow stronger with every generation.

He taonga tuku iho - our reo is a treasure handed down and it’s beautiful to witness it being celebrated!


Te Wiki Wrap-up 🌿Hari koanga / Happy new season! ☀️Hoping this one brings a bit more warmth and light to you and your wh...
12/09/2025

Te Wiki Wrap-up 🌿

Hari koanga / Happy new season! ☀️
Hoping this one brings a bit more warmth and light to you and your whānau.

This week I had the pleasure of running into Tiarna Epati at the Otaika 4 Square during a community gathering she was helping lead.

Tiarna is a proud Pacific Island New Zealander standing in the Urban Ward and driving the community wealth-building model alongside the $759M hospital redevelopment. She’s got the smarts and heart for her people and how do I know Tiarna? Basketball, of course!

Last night, the Climate Action Group and Bream Bay Guardians hosted a candidate hui in Ruakaka. It was inspiring to see the commitment to kaitiakitanga – getting the balance right between economic growth and protecting our coastlines.

It’s also about whanaungatanga, building strong alliances for credible advocacy, and manaakitanga – caring for all taonga species.

Feeling energised and grateful for all the amazing people I meet every week who are working hard for our community. ✨
Let’s keep the momentum going!

If woke means advocating my Kaupapa Māori principles of kaitiakitanga, manaakitanga and whanaungatanga then that's me! A...
11/09/2025

If woke means advocating my Kaupapa Māori principles of kaitiakitanga, manaakitanga and whanaungatanga then that's me! And proud to stand by my fellow 'woke' elected members!
Ken Couper - don't let that post distract you from the positive support you're gaining in our district - kia kaha tonu.

Te Wiki Wrap-Up ✅Kia ora! This week I had the privilege of attending the NorthTec Student Voice Meet the Candidates even...
29/08/2025

Te Wiki Wrap-Up ✅

Kia ora! This week I had the privilege of attending the NorthTec Student Voice Meet the Candidates event at Te Puna o Te Mātauranga Marae in Whangārei. 🗳️

It was also a pleasure to see some of our younger hapori members step up as candidates too - alongside existing councillors and candidates vying for Northland Regional Council and local council seats, as well as the mayor and those standing for that role. Wishing them all the very best on their journey ahead.
In another kaupapa this week, a truly historic moment took place as Whangārei District Council and Whatitiri Māori Reserves Trust reached an Agreement in Principle on sharing the waters of Poroti Springs. Today, Council gave unanimous support. A powerful step forward for future generations!

Kia pai tōu rā whakatā 🌿💚

This week I attended the Bream Bay and Waipū candidates’ meeting nights. 🌊🏛️At our Waipū meeting, I forgot my badge 😅 — ...
14/08/2025

This week I attended the Bream Bay and Waipū candidates’ meeting nights. 🌊🏛️
At our Waipū meeting, I forgot my badge 😅 — but thankfully, I found someone in the crowd who had one… thanks, Sheryl Mai! xx

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