Jan Barnes

For three years I’ve been your deputy mayor, sharing the leadership of Matamata-Piako District Council.

Now I’m seeking your vote to become the first woman mayor in the district’s history.

Working closely with retiring mayor Hugh Vercoe has given me the leadership experience and the inspiration to take our district forward.

I’m standing only for mayor, and not as a ward councillor.

I have a strong track record of commitment and contribution to our district with business acumen and a social heart. If elected, I promise to work fulltime as mayor ensuring you get value for money and a well run council.

In my nine years on council I’ve always worked hard on district-wide issues and for all our communities.

With your vote, I promise to work in the best interests of all of our communities, to listen to the community, and to be available.

While campaigning over months, I’ve been asked what my vision is for the future.

As mayor I will be promoting your ideas. Community ownership is critical and my role is to champion innovative ideas and make them work.

My leadership style is about bringing a council team together in a positive and constructive way by putting you first. Together with the community, council has a 10-year plan driving where we’re going.

While there is flexibility around this, every year we review how we’re travelling.

There’s no value in dismantling this hard work.

Months ago I identified one of the biggest potential issues facing the district.

That is amalgamations/ mergers of councils being promoted as part of Government’s local body reforms.

This means small councils like ours could be swallowed up by bigger councils.

Is that what we want? I’m not convinced.

I’ll fight hard to ensure any decision belongs to you.