For the last 12 years, he has been on the Coastal-Burwood Community Board fighting for action in the wards.
And with his limited downtown, you might have seen the 68-year-old Southshore resident out boating or hitting the waves on his surfboard.
Mr Sintes, the board’s deputy chairman, is not running for re-election in the October local body elections, saying it was a tough decision to step down but it was time for him to put more energy into doing the activities he loves.
“I love my surfing, my snowboarding, my cycling . . . my boating. I’ve got so many things that I want to do, plus I want to travel a bit more and just have a bit more free time.
“My whole life, I’ve put the community before me and I think really it’s time that I need to do it for myself.”
Mr Sintes also battled through pneumonia at the end of last year, which saw him hospitalised twice. Although he said he still feels like a young man, the time is right for a change of lifestyle.
He said spending time with his wife Jan Sintes and daughters Lauren and Jade, who he named one of his boats after, would now take priority.
Mr Sintes said in spite of his time on the board being filled with ups and downs, he has “loved” the job.
“I love the good parts of it, I hate the fighting, the battling.”
He said he had “incredibly mixed feelings” about leaving.
However, Mr Sintes said his decision to not run for re-election is not because he has lost interest or faith in the Coastal and Burwood wards.
“I believe this place has so much potential that just hasn’t been realised. There are great people out there and I’d love to carry on the journey but [not] for another three years. Believe me, it was such a hard decision.
“I can honestly say I couldn’t have worked any harder than I’ve worked . . . when I get into a project I give it 100 per cent, I throw my whole life into it and I never thought it would take 12 years of my life.”
Mr Sintes’ said his best achievements with the board include helping to get Taiora: QE II Recreation and Sport Centre rebuilt and ensuring the recently named He Puna Taimoana hot pools were approved for New Brighton.
Even simple things like getting a boardwalk rebuilt in South Brighton was a highlight for Mr Sintes.
Along with these achievements, Mr Sintes said: “There are a lot of things that I’m super disappointed in.”
“I still so wish we could get South Brighton and Southshore estuary edge [sea level rise and flooding protections] sorted out. That’s just been going on for so long and it’s just not right.”
Mr Sintes said the next three years would see some big developments he had helped push for come to fruition, including the hot pools.
He said he would be watching on with excitement.
