Damian Light (Howick).jpg

I’ve lived and worked in Auckland my entire life. I’ve lived across Auckland and now call Botany my home where I live with my partner who grew up here.

For over a decade I’ve worked as a problem solver, helping large organisations improve their delivery to customers, staff and shareholders. Continuous improvement is the art/science of helping fix issues using structured problem solving. It's about quickly understanding the issue from all sides, exploring the options and then working with people to quickly and correctly implement change. It's varied, challenging and ultimately rewarding, making things better in practical and meaningful ways. I’ve managed staff, led teams and delivered transformational change.

I’ve volunteered for numerous community organisations across the city helping to fundraise, raise awareness and directly help those in need. I’ve provided my expertise in governance and organisation.

My passion to see our country improve led me to into parliamentary politics, standing as a candidate four times, serving on a party board and culminating in leading UnitedFuture into the 2017 general election. With the closure of the party, I’ve returned to focus on my passion of local challenges and solutions.

I stood for the Howick ward during the 2018 by-election to replace the late Dick Quax. While unsuccessful, I was encouraged by the support I received and stood again in 2019 and 2022.

I was successfully elected to the Howick Local Board in 2022 as one of three representatives for the Botany subdivision. At our inaugural meeting the Board elected me as Chairperson for the three year term.

See my complete employment history on LinkedIn.

My mihi

Ko Rangitoto te maunga.
Ko Waitēmatā te moana.
Ko tangata tiriti te iwi.
Nō Ireland rātou ko Scotland, ko England ōku tīpuna
Ko Rosmini College taku kura.
Nō Tāmaki Makaurau ahau.
Kei Botany taku kainga.

I tipu ake ai ahu i Devonport.
Ko Light taku whanau.
Ko Damian taku ingoa.

I te taha o taku whaea, ko Brendan rauā ko Molly akū tīpuna.
I te taha o taku matua, ko Lloyd rauā ko Eva akū tīpuna.
Ko Alan taku pāpā.
Ko Elizabeth taku māmā.
Ko Phillip taku tuakana.
Ko ahau te tamati tuarua o taku whānau.
Ko Julian rātou ko Rowan, ko Dominic aku teina.
Ko Emily taku tuahine.
Ko Joshua taku tane.
Kaore aku tamariki.
Tokotoru aku irāmutu tane.
Tokorima aku irāmutu kōtira.

 

Rangitoto is my mountain.
Waitēmatā is my harbour.
I am a person of the Treaty.
My ancestors are from Ireland, Scotland and England.
I went to Rosmini College.
I am from Auckland.
I live in Botany.

I grew up in Devonport.
My family name is Light.
My first name is Damian.

My grandparents on my mothers side are Brendan and Molly.
My grandparents on my fathers side are Lloyd and Eva.
My father’s name is Alan.
My mother’s name is Elizabeth.
My older brother’s name is Phillip.
I am the second oldest child.
My younger brother’s names are Julian, Rowan and Dominic.
My sister’s name is Emily.
My partner’s name is Joshua.
I have no children.
I have three nephews
I have five nieces.

Community experience

I enjoy volunteering in my community, utilising my skills and experience to help others.

Beyond volunteering at community planting days and litter clean ups, I’m connected with a number of local volunteer groups that I regularly give my time to support.

Relevant Experience (all unpaid, volunteer)

  • Club Secretary, East Skate Club (2021-Oct 2022)

  • Board Treasurer, East Auckland Tourism (2020-oct 2022)

  • Volunteer, Howick Santa Parade (2019-Dec 2022)

  • Patroller, Botany Crime Watch Patrol (2018-current)

  • Chairperson, Botany Crime Watch Patrol (2023-current),

    Secretary (2019-2023)

  • Area Coordinator, Daffodil Day on behalf of Cancer Society (2019-current)

  • Street Collector, NZAIDs Foundation (2018-2019)

  • Committee Member, Beach Haven Placemaking Group (2013-2016)

  • Committee Member, Beach Haven & Birkdale Residents Association (2015-2016)

  • Volunteer Worker in Drop In Centre, Auckland City Mission (2002-2003)

 

Governance experience

I’ve served as a Board Member, Secretary, Treasurer and Chairperson for a number of community and not-for-profit organisations. I also have professional experience and continue to develop my skills in this area.

For four years I served as Board Secretary to a large commercial organisation with revenue in excess of $200m+ and over 1,800 employees. During this time, the Board reset the company brand and strategy, negotiated several international joint ventures and appointed a new CEO. In addition, I’ve served as on the Board of two Australian subsidiaries including as Chairperson.

Once elected to the Howick Local Board in October 2022, I resigned the majority of my community and commercial positions to allow me to focus on this role and avoid any conflicts of interest.

I am an active member of the NZ Institute of Directors, the leading professional body for those involved in governance, attending courses and events to grow my capability. I completed the Company Directors Course in August 2022.

Relevant Experience

  • Chairperson, Howick Local Board (2022-current)

  • Chairperson*, Botany Crime Watch Patrol Charitable Trust (2023-current), Secretary (2019-2023)

  • Board Secretary, AsureQuality (2018-Oct 2022)

  • Chairperson, AsureQuality Diagnostics Australia (2020-Oct 2022)

  • Chairperson, Global Proficiency Australia (2020-Oct 2022)

  • Club Secretary*, East Skate Club (2021-Oct 2022)

  • Board Treasurer*, East Auckland Tourism (2020-Oct 2022)

  • President / Chairperson*, UnitedFuture (2015-2018)

  • Board Member*, UnitedFuture (2010-2015)

  • Chairperson*, Beach Haven Placemaking Group (2015-2016)

*These are\were unpaid positions

 

Business Improvement

For over 15 years I’ve worked in business and process improvement. Utilising tools like Lean Six Sigma to reduce waste, improve productivity and lift service delivery. While I describe it as more of an art than science, I work using facts and data to change people, processes and systems.

I’ve managed people and lead teams through significant organisational change - I know what it takes to move people through the change curve, how to avoid scope creep and ensure that projects deliver on their benefits. I understand the fine balance between making change with people and making change to people, and when to use which approach.

In my current role I’m responsible for cascading strategy into action, monitoring performance and improving operational excellence.

Relevant experience

  • Business Planning & Performance Manager, AsureQuality (2021-current)

  • Continuous Improvement Analyst, AsureQuality (2016-2021)

  • Process Manager, KiwiRail (2007-2016), including Acting-Business Change Manager (2015-2016)

 

Authorised by Damian Light, PO Box 58184, Botany, Auckland 2163