Campaigning on leadership experience, sector knowledge

Gary Tong

Age: 63 Occupation: Fulltime mayor Martial status: Lives with partner Sharon

1. What sets you apart from the other mayoral candidates? I have experience in local government as well as being mayor for the past nine years. During the past three years, communities and our people have been part of significant change, with more to come. Murihiku Southland needs an experienced mayor to get through the next three years while mentoring a mayor for 2025.

2. What are your personal views on the Three Waters reforms?

The same as our council. There needs to be a pause to allow the voices of those affected, the people, the right to be consulted. This is a question with many answers . . .

3. What is the biggest challenge facing Southland in the next five years and what impact would your leadership have on this?

To get up and get ready for the visitors that will again come to Southland. Experience and the knowledge of what Great South, the Chamber of Commerce and others are doing is known to me and that knowledge cannot be gained in a hurry by a new mayor.

4. What do you believe the problems are with the existing Local Government Act and how would you fix it?

A number of reforms are under way, however the Local Government Act has not been identified as requiring a review. It’s time for that to occur and I have indicated this during mayoral chats.

5. What impact is the workforce having on council budgets?

Unbudgeted expenditure and increased costs due to supply and demand have affected project delivery. Council is closely watching this and reprioritising projects to fit budgets while not compromising the levels of service requested during the longterm plan.