My name is Bobby Shen, an architectural designer passionate about community action, having the people’s voice heard and sustainable urban development. I was born in New Zealand and have lived in Puketāpapa for 30 years.
I was raised by the Mount Roskill community. Attending Mount Roskill Grammar instilled me with a spirit of civic participation. Now, I would like to give back to Puketāpapa by being the community’s representative on the Local Board.
I have always been an active volunteer: supporting charities through Rotaract, running a not-for-profit helpline for mental health, and volunteering for AFH, a design service focussed on community engagement.
At Habitat for Humanity, I assisted families-in-need build their own homes. This humbling experience of working alongside these families gave me some insight into the struggles around creating healthy and warm homes but also how essential it is.
Puketāpapa is seeing more and more development. I will advocate for our unique character so that it is not side-lined during this moment of great change, but rather, I hope such developments will enhance our diversity, housing stock, and infrastructure.
Locally, you’ll see me fixing bikes at the Roskill Bike Kitchen in Wesley, weeding at the Wairaki Stream in Lynfield or at Three Kings, and volunteering at the Roskill Chinese Group.