STANDING FOR FOXTON

IRENE WAKEFIELD

Mother, Listener, Leader

I am Irene

I was raised in Foxton and returned six years ago to raise my babies—and give back to the community that raised me.

☑ I am the youngest candidate standing for the community board.
☑ I am one of few women in the running
☑ I am proudly māori
☑ And, I am a mother raising her four babies in Te Awahou Foxton

You might have seen me walking the awa with my tamariki, listening quietly beside kaumatua, pulling weeds at the loop, or tending to my garden at Duncan House between community hui. This is home—and I show up with my feet on the ground, sleeves rolled up, and heart open.

With whakapapa to Ngāti Raukawa and Ngāti Tūranga, and roots here in Te Awahou, I bring the depth of my lineage—and a deep care for those who call Foxton home.

I may be young, but ….

☑ I’ve led from the front from boardrooms to community groups.
☑ Advised on public health campaigns that reached thousands.
☑ Helped shape decisions at local, regional, and national levels.
☑ Restored flow to million-dollar projects that had stalled for years.

And still, I have ….


☑ Made it to the sidelines with snacks for the kids
☑ Pulled weeds and planted hundreds of natives at the loop
☑ Spoken life over our rangatahi at local school prize givings.
☑ Helped cook sausage sizzles in my gumboots.
☑ Stayed active at the Foxton Futures table
☑ and led local community events with a baby on my hip

I’m not doing this work because of a campaign—I’ve always been doing it.

I’m not here to keep a seat warm — I’m here for the future of Foxton.

  • There’s real opportunity here in Te Awahou—across business, tourism, and local development. But opportunity doesn’t move on its own.

    We need leadership that understands how decisions are made—and how to make them matter. Leadership that knows how to navigate systems, build consensus, and turn good ideas into action.

    I’ll keep pushing for smart investment in our town—so local businesses can grow, jobs are created, and our spaces feel vibrant, connected, and well cared for.

  • Our awa isn’t just water—it’s part of the soul of Foxton.

    Through the Foxton Futures community plan, one thing is clear: we all see the river as something precious. The mauri of Piriharakeke matters—to our identity, our wellbeing, and our future.

    As Chair of Save Our River Trust, I’ve already been working to restore that mauri—and I’ll keep doing the mahi.

    This isn’t just a campaign focus—it’s a long-term commitment to our taiao, our people, and the legacy we leave behind.

  • Foxton holds powerful stories—woven through our buildings, our cultures, and our shared identity.

    Places like Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom remind us what’s possible when collaboration is done well. Our local history isn’t just something to preserve—it’s something to take pride in.

    I’ll keep advocating for investment in our heritage, so our tamariki grow up grounded in where they’re from, with stories that belong to all of us.

    That’s why I chose to make Duncan House our home—because protecting our history is personal.

  • You should be able to cross the main road safely, send your kids off to kura with confidence, and see the value of your rates in real time.

    Whether you’re raising a whānau, running a business, or simply walking to town—our infrastructure should work for you.

    From safety to beautification, I’ll pushing for decisions that are practical, visible, and grounded in what our community needs.

Why I’m standing

But here’s the thing…
I’m running to represent, you.

I won't be shy about the areas I care about in Te Awahou—but I also know this campaign isn’t about me.

It’s about us—our people, our future, our town. So, if something matters to you, I want to know.

Whether it’s safer streets, better youth spaces, smarter development, or something that hasn’t been named yet—your perspective matters. I’d love to hear it.

If you believe in thoughtful, grounded leadership
that’s already doing the mahi—vote Irene Wakefield
for the Te Awahou Foxton Community Board.

Need help or a replacement voting pack? - Call the electoral office on 0800 36 76 56

Authorised by Irene Wakefield - hello@irenewakefield.com