ACT Local has selected Michelle Magnus, an experienced caregiver and accomplished business executive, as its candidate for the Paeroa Ward in the upcoming Hauraki District Council election.

Michelle brings extensive leadership experience, having served as Finance & Operations Director at EMI Music before co-founding Eventfinda, one of New Zealand’s leading event discovery and ticketing platforms. More recently, she has dedicated herself to in-home palliative and dementia care, providing compassionate support to elderly New Zealanders. With a broad range of experience and a deep understanding of both business and community care, she is standing to bring common sense, real-world insight, and practical leadership to local government.

“I’m standing to bring accountability, transparency, and fresh thinking to local government. With rates up 27% in just two years, our community deserves responsible financial management. I bring real-world experience, strong leadership, and a commitment to making sure ratepayers’ money is spent wisely — on what truly matters.” – Michelle Magnus

Earlier this year, ACT New Zealand announced it would be standing Common Sense Candidates for local government for the first time — after hearing from New Zealanders across the country who are sick of rising rates, ballooning budgets, and councils that ignore the basics while chasing ideological vanity projects.

When you vote ACT Local, you know what you're getting:

• Fixing the basics
• Cutting the waste
• Ending race-based politics
• Restoring accountability

ACT Local Government spokesperson Cameron Luxton says:

*“*ACT Local candidates are community-minded Kiwis who’ve had enough of wasteful councils treating ratepayers like ATMs. It’s time to take control on behalf of ratepayers — to restore accountability and deliver real value for money. ACT Local is about getting the basics right: maintaining roads, keeping streets clean, and respecting the people who pay the bills. Our candidates won’t divide people by race or get distracted by climate vanity projects. They’re here to serve, not lecture."