Brian keen for second term on council

‘‘I’m wading through a lot of old files, it’s going to take a few years.’’

‘‘Serving as councillor has been a huge learning curve and I’m still learning, even after two a a half years, says Matamata-Piako district councillor Brian Hunter of his first term.

Hunter entered the local government scene for the first time three years ago when postal vote elected him as one of four councillors for the district. He claimed the second highest polling candidate for Matamata, behind long standing councillor Leonie Tisch.

Now, with elections looming in October this year, he is hoping the district will back him for a second term.

Although Hunter says the job has been a lot more involved than he expected it to be, it’s one he feels proud about.

‘‘I’m most proud about how well financially we have performed at keeping rates low and that’s important.

‘‘One of the challenges at the moment is land for building, buil- ders are desperate for it, so it’s something we are looking at is making more land available.’’

With his background in the New Zealand fire service, Hunter represents the council on Civil Defence.

Hunter has also been asked to write a book for the 100 year anniversary of the fire brigade, formed in 1923. The anniversary is in seven years time.