Businessman seeks Tasman’s top job
Richmond businessman Mike Harvey is throwing his all into running for the Tasman mayoralty at the local body elections in October.
A long-time real estate agent, Harvey had also launched the Yelsa Connect online marketing tool. But he is putting those interests aside to focus on his campaign.
‘‘I’ve closed the doors on my real estate company, and we’re gifting all future revenue from our tech business to charity indefinitely, to free me up,’’ he says on his Mike Harvey, Professional page on Facebook.
‘‘Like everything I do, running for mayor will be full commitment, full throttle and fun. I intend to get right around the district, and I’m keen to connect with as many TDC residents as possible.’’
Harvey said he had always been interested in the ‘‘whole idea of council and mayor’’. He was now between projects, so the timing was perfect.
As a developer and resident, Harvey said he had been engaged and involved with the Tasman District Council over many years. He believed that many of the district’s residents did not feel that their voice was being heard by the council.
‘‘Friends and family feel like ratepayers are there to serve the council, not the council to serve the ratepayers,’’ he said. ‘‘They don’t seem to even hear what they say.’’
Harvey said the council had done some things well recently, such as the water and wastewater upgrades for Māpua and Ruby Bay, while its parks and reserves were ‘‘outstanding’’. However, too many gatherings such as workshops were held behind closed doors – a practice he was keen to see stopped if he was elected.
He also planned to get out and talk with residents throughout the district.
‘‘I’m a civil servant [if elected]; I’m here to serve my community.’’
Harvey is not running for a seat as a ward councillor. He said he did not believe it was necessary to spend time as a councillor before running for mayor.
‘‘It needs to be someone who’s not a career politician. I don’t want to become a career politician.’’
He described himself as a ‘‘very honest person’’ whose key values were equality, justice. and caring for the environment. He was also ‘‘future focused’’ and adaptable.
‘‘Leading teams is what I’ve done extraordinarily well.’’
Harvey said that if elected, he would spend some time moving ‘‘around the (council) building to see how everything works’’.
‘‘I want to come in and be a positive influence.’’
He said he was supported by an ‘‘enormous network of people’’, and the response to his campaign launch had been positive.
‘‘I got 16 hugs walking down the street the other day, [with people] saying it’s the best thing they’d heard.’’
Incumbent mayor Tim King intends to stand again for the top job, while Richmond ward councillor Mark Greening in April indicated that he was also considering a run for the mayoralty.
Harvey’s was the only mayoral nomination showing on Tuesday afternoon via a link on the council website, with the time stamp of 3.04pm on Monday.
Candidate nominations are due to close on August 12, with postal voting from September 16. Election day is October 8.