Lleuarne Panoho

Kia ora! Ko Lleuarne Panoho ahau. I was born and raised in Beach Haven going to our local schools where I met my partner Glen. We have three tamariki, Tyler, Rita and Hohepa who are following in our footsteps going through our local schools.

In 2015 I became a kids’ dance teacher and sought funding to go into schools . It has always been important to me to have this programme funded so that it doesn’t take away from other resources that the schools need.

I have danced with over 10,000 tamariki from all over Auckland and it is my true passion. For the last three years, I have been very fortunate to be funded by the Birkenhead Licensing Trust so that I can continue my programme within our local schools. This funding allows me to get to know the tamariki of our area and watch them grow. So if you have tamariki that are in or have been through our local
schools, chances are that we would have danced together. And I may have danced with you too.

I have been working with Shanan Halbert our local MP to support local people to get help and to raise their concerns with government departments and other organisations. This role gave me insight into our community’s needs, and the opportunity to help people and to connect them to the right resources. With both of these roles, I have built strong relationships in our community. I know our schools; our community organisations; our community leaders and our community whānau. 

I am standing for the Kaipātiki Local board because I believe that the local board needs to reflect the community that it represents.  My father was Māori and my mother is pakeha. I am privileged to have been raised in both worlds. I know our community and the importance of making the right investments to benefit our entire community.
 
It is a big deal for me to put myself forward for the position of a community leader, but I know that I can make a difference in this role with the same qualities I bring to my other roles in the community: I love sharing my energy, I love connecting with people, and I love this community. I’m here for one reason only: I want to help make it even better.