Cambridge Community Board 2025-2028
A new chapter begins, and we’re ready to go.
Charlotte FitzPatrick
We have marked the official establishment of the new Cambridge Community Board, a milestone for local democracy and community voice.
I’m proud to be joined on the board by a passionate and diverse team. Stewart Dromgool, Chris Minnee, Gerda Venter and I are the newbies joining Andrew Myers, who is beginning his second term on the Cambridge Community Board.
We’re also joined by two Waipā district councillors, Mike Mongomerie and Pip Kempthorne, who are delegated to act as conduits between the community board and the wider council. Supporting us during and in between our meetings will be acting deputy chief executive Kirsty Downey and the wider council team, who provide the vital link between governance and council operations.
The Cambridge Community Board’s makeup reflects a strong blend of community representation and advocacy, council connection, and administrative support, which is designed to ensure the board is both responsive and effective, and that you feel more connected to council issues. Those of us elected take our representation roles very seriously, and getting the best outcomes for you will always be at the top of our minds.
Since being elected, we’ve had many people ask us how the Cambridge Community Board works and how they can engage. If your recycling bin hasn’t been collected, then it’s best to contact the council directly to sort this out for you. But let’s say you have ideas for other waste minimisation improvements that could be made across our area in the future – that’s when you can have a chat with us. Our job is community representation, the mayor and councillors take care of governance, and staff look after the day-to-day operations of the council.
The community board’s role is to hear and support you, to amplify your voice, and to ensure your issues, concerns, and ideas make their way to the right ears in council.
There are two key ways to engage with the community board with your ideas, concerns or views. First, you’re warmly invited to reach out directly to any of the board members for a one-on-one chat. Our contact details are provided on the council’s website if you look on the ‘Your Council’ page.
The second way to engage is to participate in the open forum section of our public meetings, where you can raise issues or suggestions, share your vision for the future, and speak directly to the board.
We’re here to build on the great advocacy work the previous Cambridge Community Board did to strengthen the voice of Cambridge residents and ratepayers, and enhance engagement between the community and decision-makers. We want your involvement. We want you to feel heard, respected, and involved in shaping the future of our town. And we’re very much looking forward to achieving this for you.
A sincere thank you to everyone who voted in this election, and for giving us your support and trust. We’re looking forward to working for you and providing a strong voice for Cambridge.
- Charlotte FitzPatrick is chair of the Cambridge Community Board.
Cambridge Community Board 2025-2028, from left Stewart Dromgool, Gerda Venter, Chris Minneé, Charlotte FitzPatrick, Mike Montgomerie, Andrew Myers, Pip Kempthorne.
