About Kathleen
I’m a proud seventh-generation local, raising my family here in Porirua. This isn’t just where I live — it’s my home. I’m committed to making sure it remains a place where people feel connected, supported, and hopeful about their future.
Whether you’ve been here for generations or just moved in, we all want the same thing - for Porirua to be a city we’re proud to call home. A city where our kids and grandkids can afford to stay, and see their future here.
I’ve worked in wellbeing, finance, and community, across both government and grassroots organisations. I’ve run my own business nationally and internationally, and I’m currently working in finance in the community housing sector. I understand how money moves, how systems work, and where things can break down for everyday people.
I’ve spent the last three years on Council, pushing for the same things I’m standing for now - value for money, transparency, and real accountability. I’ve shown up, listened, and stood firm when it mattered. I’m not afraid to ask the hard questions, and I’ll keep doing that - because that’s what leadership should look like.
“I’m not here to defend the status quo. I’m here to serve the people. If we want our city to thrive, we need leadership that’s practical, transparent, and focused on real outcomes — not more of the same.”
— Kathleen Filo
Porirua Forward: Shaping an Affordable City Where People Thrive
Porirua should be a city where people are thriving, not just getting by. A city where they can afford to stay, build their lives, and shape the future of the place they call home.
That’s the future I want to lead us toward, because Porirua is full of potential. We’re a city with strong communities, a proud history, and a growing sense of identity. It’s a future where generations can continue to live here, raise their families here, and keep adding to what makes our city so special. Where diversity is celebrated as our strength, and everyone’s voice helps shape what comes next.
But we won’t get there by accident. To move Porirua forward, we first need to get the foundations right:
value for money, active transparency, and real accountability.
These are not lofty goals. They’re the basics of good council, and they’re essential if we’re going to unlock the full potential of the city.
Once those foundations are in place, we can turn our focus to what’s possible for the future, shaping it together. That could mean growing local businesses, strengthening tourism, attracting investment, or exploring bold ideas that reflect who we are.
The options are endless, but what matters most is that they’re shaped by the people who live here.
One practical option I’ll explore is bringing back elements of village planning — a proven, award-winning model where locals helped shape how their neighbourhoods looked, felt, and functioned. Council’s role is to support and deliver that shared vision in partnership with the people who shaped it.
Your rates fund the future.
Your voice helps shape it.
Together, we build it.
To move Porirua forward, we need to get these foundations right
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Value for Money
Do you feel like you’re paying more in rates but getting less in return?
When people look around this city, it’s often unclear what those rising rates are actually delivering. Budgets blow out, projects run over, and the results do not always reflect the cost. Many residents have lost trust that their money is being respected or used wisely.
As Mayor, I will focus on delivering better value by addressing waste, scrutinising inflated pricing, and challenging legacy costs. I will champion smarter spending that stretches every dollar further and make sure council lives within its means. Ratepayer money should be treated with respect.
This is not about slashing services. It is about cutting waste, protecting what is important, and making sure council delivers what is genuinely needed and offers real value for money. Just like households, council needs to prioritise and live within its means, with stronger oversight every step of the way.
One practical step I will take is leading a full review of council current spending to shine a light on where money is going, scrutinise legacy costs, tighten up where spending has ballooned, and ensure every dollar is doing real work for the people of this city.
Because the bigger goal here is clear: making Porirua a more affordable place to live, built on trust, responsibility, and real value for money.
In the coming weeks, I will be sharing more practical ideas and releasing my mayoralty plan so you can see exactly how we can get better value from the money you already pay.
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Active Transparency
If you are left in the dark, you can’t contribute meaningfully, and you shouldn’t be expected to.
We need Active Transparency, not just ticking a box, but making council accessible, upfront, and delivering information in a way that makes sense. Because when you know what’s going on, you can use your voice, and your voice matters.
One example? Budget visibility.
Right now, parts of council spending aren’t clearly broken down. It’s hard to tell what’s really being spent and where.
I’ll make it a priority to break down council spending in plain sight, so the public can see exactly what’s going where.
When you’re informed, you can speak up, raise ideas, and help build a better city. That’s how we make council smarter, more efficient, and more connected to the people it serves.
Porirua is one of the most diverse cities in Aotearoa. We need to make sure your voice has the chance to be heard fairly, clearly, and meaningfully.
Active Transparency is how we build a city shaped by its people and shaped with you.
I’ll be sharing more practical ways we can improve transparency and make it easier for you to be heard early and meaningfully.
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Accountability
When no one is accountable, nothing changes, and Porirua cannot afford more of the same.
I have consistently stood up and pushed back, including holding Wellington Water to account. Council must deliver for the people of this city. Too often, a lack of follow-through has meant extra costs and poor outcomes for the very people footing the bill.
As Mayor, I will make sure the new water entity delivers for Porirua and is truly accountable to the people who pay for it.
I will be sharing more practical steps in the coming weeks on how we build a culture of follow-through, responsibility, and action.