Our team
Julia Parfitt
Julia is a lifelong Bays resident and is married with two sons. Community is at the heart of everything Julia does.
She is a Justice of the Peace, has served on a diverse range of community groups, and is a former teacher and BOT member at Northcross Intermediate. Julia has extensive Local Government experience as a previous Councillor and Deputy Mayor of North Shore City and Chairperson of the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board.
A long-standing and effective leader in the community, Julia has been a tireless advocate and successfully delivered numerous projects that not only meet community needs but are cost-effective. She knows our area extremely well and works constructively across Council to get the best outcomes for our community.
She has successfully promoted: infrastructure rebuild and stream improvements post storm events; restoration and pest-free initiatives; twon centre safety plans; Mairangi Bay pump station upgrade; funding playground renewals and new walkways; a youth park in Long Bay and a dog park in Browns Bay.
Known for asking the hard questions, raising issues, and achieving results for the people of Hibiscus and Bays, Julia is a strong and articulate advocate who will ensure your voice is heard.
Email: parfitt.associates@xtra.co.nz
Phone: 021 287 1999
Alexis Poppelbaum
Alexis was born and raised in the Bays and lives in Okura with her husband and their two daughters. Alexis has been the Chair of the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board for the last year and a half, having served as a local board member since 2019.
She has achieved some significant wins for our community in that time including: saving North Harbour Stadium from demolition and an uncertain future; instigating improvements to Council’s compliance enforcement; tackling legislative roadblocks Council has to effectively enforce its own bylaws; and getting funding set aside for a community recycling centre in Rosedale. Advocating to ensure the Glenvar and East Coast Roads upgrade project remains funded and on schedule has been a passionate priority for her.
Alexis is experienced in strategy and policy development, planning, and preparing multi-million dollar budgets. Her expertise in evidence-based decision-making and public consultation will ensure your rates contribute to projects and services that deliver.
Her background is as a Policy Analyst at Pharmac, and Communications Manager at the Brain Health Research Centre. She’s also been a senior staffer to Murray McCully MP where she successfully advocated for members of our community.
Alexis loves the Bays and wants our community to continue being the best place for families to grow and thrive. This means fostering a strong sense of community; protecting our precious coastline and green spaces; promoting effective transport options; and supporting our local economy and town centres.
In her spare time she is a Justice of the Peace and enjoys 'digging in' with community planting and weeding in our parks and reserves.
Email: alexis.poppelbaum@gmail.com
Phone: 021 037 9858
Gregg Walden
Gregg’s extensive community and business experience has helped him carve out a niche in safety, resilience and advocacy for the local board. In 2024 he became the Chair for North Shore Neighbourhood Support (NSNS) carrying on his work for safety and resilience. He is also a volunteer of North Harbour Community Patrol.
Gregg is re-standing for the local board because his community safety, resilience and youth support work is ongoing. After the 2023 floods and Cyclone Gabrielle, Gregg stood up as a local leader to help communities recover from the devastation. He became the Bays Local Board Lead for resilience and helped to
set-up community resilience groups and emergency hubs across the bays.
The Police established a Safety Network Committee for the North Shore and Gregg is a member representing NSNS. Other members include Community Patrol, Māori & Pacifica Wardens, Auckland Transport Safety and Blue Light. The goal of the committee is to help the Police better serve us all, and to reduce crime on the North Shore. Due to their work, many local boards on the North Shore have committed to reducing crime and promoting safer communities.
Gregg holds an MBA and has had a diverse career as an entrepreneur, setting up various successful businesses. He has worked as a Marketing Manager for both national and international companies. He is ex-Armed Forces and was contracted to Internal Affairs to liaise between gangs, at risk youth, Police, community and government organisations.
For many years Gregg has run youth groups and led teams into red-light districts trying to help people break free from drugs, prostitution and homelessness. As a gym owner he connected with the Police and worked with at-risk youth needing to complete community service.
Email: gregg1.walden@gmail.com
Phone: 021 246 5569
Mike Bishop
Mike is standing for the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board because he’s passionate about helping our community to thrive. He lives in Long Bay and is deeply committed to creating a more active, connected, and inclusive community.
Mike is a highly experienced sports administrator with over 31 years of experience as a CEO across various regions of New Zealand, chiefly in rugby and cricket. Prior to that he worked in New Zealand and overseas in the finance industry.
He has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Harbour Sport for the last six and a half years, leading Harbour Sport’s efforts to empower and strengthen the North Harbour community through physical activity, health and well-being. Harbour Sport’s territory encompasses the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board area.
As part of the Backing the Bays team, Mike is particularly passionate about resolving our transport issues, for our community to remain a safe place for all, and protecting our wonderful coastline for future generations to enjoy.
Having lived a life dealing with mild cerebral palsy, Mike is also a passionate advocate for inclusivity and championing opportunities for people with disabilities. Mike currently sits on the boards of Paralympics New Zealand, Disability Sport Auckland, the Laura Fergusson Trust, and the Auckland Paraplegic Trust. He has four adult children and two grandsons all of whom make him very proud.
Email: mjbish9@gmail.com
Phone: 021 244 2065
