Former DOC official seeks TDC seat
After 25 years with the Department of Conservation, former finance boss Christeen Mackenzie has packed up her expertise and returned to Tasman district, where she is seeking a place around the council table.
Although she lives in the LakesMurchison Ward, Mackenzie is running for one of three positions in the MoutereWaimea Ward – despite the fact her family won’t be able to vote for her.
‘‘I live in Foxhill, which is about five minutes outside the boundary,’’ Mackenzie said. ‘‘Previously, I used to live in Wakefield, and I feel that MoutereWaimea is the community that I know – but having said that, the role of being on the council is actually about representing the whole district, so I don’t see that it has to be ward-specific.’’
In May 2018, Mackenzie left her job at DOC, where she was the Wellington-based deputy director-general corporate services/chief financial officer. ‘‘I wanted to move back to the region. It’s a life choice.’’
She said she was standing for Tasman District Council because she wanted to contribute to the community. ‘‘Ratepayers . . . deserve to have people sitting around that table making decisions who have the passion, the commitment, the energy, the time, the capability – all those things – and connection to the community.’’
As well as her skills and experience in finance and governance, Mackenzie is a trustee of the Tasman Environmental Trust and the Wakefield and Districts Health Trust, an organisation close to her heart.
‘‘The genesis of the Wakefield health centre was in the ’80s,’’ she said. ‘‘I lived in Wakefield in the ’80s. I was the treasurer of the committee that did the initial fundraising and negotiating with the council. What’s fantastic now is that my grandchildren actually go to that health centre.’’
Mackenzie has attended some council meetings and researched different issues affecting the district, including the controversial multimillion-dollar Waimea dam project, for which the physical work is under way.
‘‘Based on what I’ve read, I’m supportive of the dam,’’ she said.
The response to the effects of climate change was a ‘‘biggie’’ for the district, as was planning for growth, Mackenzie said.
‘‘I think, biodiversity protection is important. I also think it’s important the core functions of the council are carried out efficiently and effectively.’’
The council has a financial strategy of total rates increases of no more than 3 per cent a year, plus an allowance for growth, and a net external debt cap of $200 million.
‘‘I’ve had a good look through the Long Term Plan and I think . . . the financial strategy looks to be achievable,’’ Mackenzie said, adding that there was little wiggle room.
She also said she would be interested to understand what had driven the council decision to hold workshops behind closed doors. ‘‘Openness and transparency are important.’’