Determined to build councilcommunity ties

Why are you standing for mayor?

I am enthusiastic about the Gore district and want to showcase what a wellled council can do. I bring a positive outlook, energy and experience to steer the ship and build our district for the future. I believe Gore has so much to offer everyone. We are a bit of a hidden gem here, and I want to show the rest of New Zealand that Gore is a great district for people to live in.

Will you be a fulltime mayor and why?

I will be a committed and engaged mayor. It only takes so long to read councilproduced papers and attend meetings; it is getting among the community that takes the real time, and why it seems to only be a parttime role the way it is run at the moment. I want to ensure our council has effective representation and leadership on all the issues that matter to our community.

What position do you think the district is in?

The district is stable and byandlarge people are having their needs met; however we are going down a different path from what ratepayers believe they are paying for, which is why it is a perfect time to have a change in the mayoralty. With an ageing population, having a younger mayor may be a point of difference in attracting younger people to the district.

What are three issues facing the incoming council, and why?

1. The council is heading into a busy period of reform and I don’t believe we have the solid relationships in place to influence Government agencies for the benefit of Gore. Our current local politicians seem to have taken a back seat on the issues that matter.

2. The council needs to rebalance its spending. The substantial hike in council debt over these next three years is concerning. We need to get back to basics, like funding our infrastructure and making sure that rates are spent on the areas they are collected from.

3. The council needs to have a clear plan for growth and development. It hasn’t delivered on the Gorecontribution to the Southland Regional Growth plan. This means opening up land for development, and encouraging the private sector, rather than trying to be a ratepayerfunded property developer.

What would be one thing you would like to have achieved by the end of your term, and why?

I would like to have built trusted relationships between our community and the council, where locals feel like council is giving voice to their issues. From what I have heard, the community feels that council is disconnected, and that some who have been around the governance tables too long may have fallen into the trap of exalting council management recommendations (or have hidden behind them), rather than seeking contestable opinions. I want to lead with integrity, and engage with our community to carry out my own research, consider evidence, weigh up advice and then make well informed decisions.