Carmen Houlahan

I’m Carmen Houlahan, and I’m standing for Dunedin’s Mayor and Council. I’m a second term councillor. I believe our city has huge potential — and now more than ever, we need strong, open, honest, and fair leadership.

Over this term I’ve fought to get the hospital we were promised and will keep fighting for it, I’ve advocated to bring back professional theatre to our city and I’ve decried the number of car parks being taken away for cycle lanes especially near the hospital.

I want to see us strengthen our relationships with business, University and Polytechnic, medical school and CODE (centre of digital excellence) to grow jobs, and provide futures for our children here.

As a former journalist I haven’t been afraid to ask hard questions and push for transparency and that is needed now more than ever.

Our rates are high, that needs to change. Every dollar council spends must be carefully managed — we can no longer have surprises like the seesaw. Rate payers deserve better. Contracts need to be questioned and councillors need more transparency. I don’t support slashing and burning but I do support smart investment, strong financial responsibility, and focused leadership to keep Dunedin growing and thriving.

I answer only to you — not to any political party or team.

Together, we can build a more vibrant and future-focused city, attractive not just to those who live, work and play here, but a destination in its own right.

Vote Carmen Houlahan for Mayor and Council
Open. Honest. Fair.