Jo Davies-Colley feels like she has completed an undergraduate degree and now wants to move onto her master’s.
Jo Davies-Colley in the Cambridge Town Hall piazza. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
The Cambridge Community Board chair is standing for Waipā District Council in the Cambridge ward, saying she has poured her heart and soul into the board for six years.
“As much as the advocacy has been amazing, I feel like now I want a chance to be part of making the (district) decisions,” the 44-year-old mother of three said.
This means the board’s current chair and deputy, Davies-Colley and Elise Badger, will both leave after two terms.
Elise Badger – Ahua Studio
The issue that really brought the community board into focus was Cambridge Connections last year.
Davies-Colley said she put everything else on hold to concentrate on that issue.
It started on February 29 when The News revealed the council’s preferred site for a third bridge over the Waikato River, landing in an old established suburb identified by a blue blob on a map.
It was the first time the people in the houses underneath the blue blob knew of the plan which some thought would make their homes worthless overnight.
Jo Davies-Colley and the black Dutch bike she picked up on Trade Me for $250. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
“As much as it was a tumultuous time for the community, it really put the community board on the map and a lot of people felt there was a place for them to go to talk, share, express, be emotional, be frustrated,” she said.
“And they were thrown into this whole whirlwind and there was a lot of misinformation out there. People thought someone was going to build a bridge there the next day.”
In the absence of councillors, Davies-Colley became the face of the council.
She was at the public meeting in March which the council abandoned in the face of some angry people and accusations.
Cambridge Community Board member Andrew Myers and his dog Pippa, with chair Jo Davies-Colley during one of the rural tours. Photo: Sylvie Davies-Colley.
The council dropped its plans and put Cambridge Connections on hold saying they had made a mistake, got it wrong and could do better.
If elected, Davies-Colley wants to be involved in any future project planning.
Another priority will be her advocacy for a Cambridge Library-Hub. She has made several suggestions to solve the space problem in the existing library where books are stacked on the floor.
“While we can’t afford a brand new library and community hub, there are alternatives. A shipping container out on the grass at the back, a pop up somewhere else. Maybe a little teen hang out with all the teen books in there.”
The tapestry art, a gift from Bihoro to Cambridge is presented by community board member Alana Mackay, centre left, to mayor Susan O’Regan. Others, from left, are: Robyn Maxwell, Andrew Myers, Jo Davies-Colley and Philip Coles. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Leamington urban mobility is something she cares about too saying people ring her about Cambridge’s cycleways and tell her they feel forgotten on the other side of the bridge.
In recent months Davies-Colley has sat in on council Water Done Well water reforms, Long Term Plan, Council-Controlled Organisations and Cambridge Connections discussions.
“I just feel like I’ve just learnt so much. I’ve loved being on the community board, absolutely loved it and loved being the chairperson. But it’s time to step up.”
Davies-Colley has the support of her family. Husband Christian is Vetora clinic manager and a mixed animal vet who becomes an advocate for his wife and the board when clients discuss Cambridge issues with him.
Celebration time for the Hamilton Road cycleway in 2022. From left: Cambridge Community Board chair Jo Davies-Colley and her three children Lansley, 7, Nina, 11, and Sylvie, 9 with deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk, mayor Susan O’Regan, Margaret Drew and in the pram Adie Williams, 19 months.
They have three children, two girls and a boy, aged 13, 11 and nine.
By standing for council, Auckland-born Davies-Colley has confirmed her career as a hospital midwife is over. She worked for four years at Middlemore Hospital.
Davies-Colley spent some of her teenage years in Italy and attended high school there. Her grandmother was Italian.
While social media is something she keeps an eye on, she does not want to be that person cowering under the pressure of keyboard warriors.
“I feel like the majority of people would think of me as someone who is approachable so when I read a comment that might be mean or uncomfortable for me to read, I have to say to myself ‘what is actually this person’s concern’? I’m always going to try and ignore the meanness or unkindness and work out how can I help them.”
See: Your turn now ….
Jo Davies-Colley talks about her plans to stand for Waipa District Council. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
