Napier City Council
This week we’re also looking at Napier City Council candidates and asking: What will they do about water issues?
Ahuriri ward Matthew Bonnett,
director
‘‘The challenge for your new council will be to acknowledge and address chronic inconsistencies in the approach to regulatory functions, procurement processes, and public consultation. I have the energy and the experience in governance and strategic planning to represent Ahuriri ward and our greater city with sound judgment.
‘‘Our city needs compassionate, dynamic councillors who can focus on the core obligations of council in providing sound infrastructure, including clean and unadulterated water, parking, paths and roading, a recycling service with reliability and integrity, improved environmental management, and emergency preparedness.
Hayley Browne,
engineer
‘‘I’ve become increasingly aware of social issues that are affecting people in Hawke’s Bay and NZ. As an engineer I’m passionate about helping the council make decisions based on evidence, as a woman of empathy I’m passionate about those decisions having considered the dignity and respect of all our people.
‘‘Our water network has been underfunded for over a decade, its design is well behind best-practice. As an engineer with a background in water distribution systems, I have the expertise to ensure our upgrade is world class and we manage risk to public health as we work to remove chlorine.
James Crow
’’A lack of consistent consultation process has caused major projects to be mothballed or challenged by the public through legal action. This as a clear indication council is not listening as they should to residents. We need a council that will work to improve basic infrastructure such as clean water.
‘‘Napier has little in the way of cash surplus and what we do have must be managed carefully to bring back basic quality to our water for our people and not to fund $41m pools. We must question seriously anyone standing who isn’t as clear in their views on this matter.
Craig Morley,
42, company
34, professional
56, part-time design and compliance engineering consultant
‘‘Over the past few years I’ve engaged with council on many issues, making submissions, speaking to those submissions and have actively lobbied councillors for proper outcomes. I’m standing to continue to advocate for the community and ensure they get proper consultation and most importantly , a fair go.
‘‘It’s great that NCC have identified that safe, clean drinking water is now our number one priority. We have an extremely pure source, low in organics. Chlorine as a disinfectant is ineffective and many developed countries are going chlorine free. Fix the water infrastructure and get rid of chlorination now.
Keith Price,
65, directing manager and chairman of the Taylor Hawks, councillor
‘‘Napier is a vibrant and progressive place to live and visit. After serving the city for four terms, I have a lot to offer in terms of both experience and future focus. It is important to me to see the city move ahead, while ensuring that we have the fundamentals right.
‘‘We need to ensure that our drinking water is safe and pure. Access to this is part of the fundamentals that the ratepayer deserves. Our infrastructure needs to be remodelled and updated to guarantee this. We must also clean up our waterways and improve our environment.
Nelson Park ward Maxine Boag,
71, councillor ‘‘Our council is facing major issues with water, major capital projects, social housing and climate change. Five councillors are leaving, highlighting the need for experience and continuity around the table. 12 years of council work and community engagement have given me the connections and skills to continue to serve effectively.
Will Jenkins,
57, Elim church intern, community worker
‘‘I love Napier and want to see it thrive. For years I’ve served the community in a wide range of roles both paid and voluntary. I know the Nelson Park ward well. I want to help bring real progress on water, the pool, social housing, library, war memorial and drain-ways.
‘‘I want to see chlorine out of our water supply. The various options need to be researched, costed and presented to the public for broad consultation. All three water systems (drinking, storm and waste) need to be made future ready, for as reasonable a cost as possible. A top priority.
Greg ‘‘Grego’’ Mawson,
personal trainer/coach
‘‘With my background in International competition and personal training, I am committed, a good listener and love to help people; qualities of a councillor.
‘‘Clearly the water – pun intended. This needs to be addressed with urgency. Two years so far and no closer to resolution. We need to push aside egos and look to other councils if necessary – like Waimakariri District Council. Why? They have sustained earthquake damage yet have areas with unchlorinated water.
Chris Stewart,
43,
32, supply planner – food manufacturing
‘‘Napier has great opportunities to raise a family. I want to serve on the council so that I can ensure that future generations can experience everything the region has to offer. I have lots to offer the community and want to have the opportunity to make my mark. We need to fix the drinking water quality immediately and improve the infrastructure with the aim to de-chlorinate the water and ensure it is healthy and clean for our wha¯nau. The next priority is to improve the storm and waste-water infrastructure.
Sally Crown,
37, communications
consultant
‘‘I want to serve the people of Nelson Park ward by using my professional skills, both governance and grassroots, to help Napier communities to develop themselves and thrive. I am solution focused and already work successfully with lots of different types of people. Attributes I consider essential for a councillor.
The people of Napier are emphatic in their calls for action around our water. The changes required to drinking, storm water and sewerage require commitment, education and priority from our next council in order to create systems that will cater for our future generations. Public and environmental health are paramount.
Apiata Tapine,
46, public servant
and councillor
‘‘New Zealand’s priority is; water quality, drinking water, storm water, and wastewater. Declaring an ‘environmental crisis’ requires follow-up action. Ahead are new challenges and problems never before encountered! Alongside our experienced, cohesive, connected representatives, we need new thinking to drive innovative solutions, and leadership characterised action and results.
Onekawa-Tamatea ward Annette Brosnon,
31, environmental regulation adviser and councillor
‘‘I am running to represent us around the council table because there is work to be done, our water, consultation and environmental impact decisions need work. I love this ward and believe I can make a difference for us. I’m also excited about working with our city’s new leadership.
‘‘Water is absolutely my number 1 priority, it’s unacceptable that dirty and inconstant chlorinated water is being delivered to our taps, there is a need to fast-track funding even more so than already and put other capital works (like the aquatic centre) on hold until this is fixed.
Richard McGrath,
49, Nurse/parent
and councillor
‘‘I’m standing for council because I have necessary knowledge, skills and experience to remedy issues Napier faces. My top priorities: Fix the water, stop the pool, reinstate the war memorial, build a new library, clean up the estuary. Let’s make Napier the best place to live and raise our families.
‘‘Clean safe, chlorine-free water is the biggest issue for the Onekawa/ Tamatea areas. We’re sick of smelly brown water. Council needs to allocate more money and resources to fix this. Stop the pool and redirect the time and money to fixing the water. Water is a core council responsibility.
Steve Gibson,
49, Retired police officer of 24 years, now owner of two motel businesses
‘‘Safe unchlorinated drinkable water is my priority. The previous council wasted countless money on ‘‘grand projects’’, balk at the price, then flip flop come elections. $41 million should be invested in replacing water pipes and upgrading the existing Onekawa pool complex. Rid the town of criminal gang patches in public places.
Taradale ward Jake Brookie,
25, education contractor and business owner ‘‘For better consultation between residents and their council. Many feel the council does not genuinely listen to their concerns. Many no longer make submissions on local issues, saying it is pointless. This needs to change and I want to be part of a council that truly communicates.
‘‘Napier’s pipes are leaking enough water each year to fill 73 Olympic swimming pools. Finding and fixing these leaks won’t just save water, but will make our supply secure enough to remove chlorine. Essentials like water, libraries and protecting our estuary should be the focus of the next council.
Graeme Taylor,
councillor
‘‘I am standing again for council as I am passionate about the Taradale community. I want Taradale to be the most liveable suburb in Napier, being safe, vibrant, progressive with services that are accessible to all.
‘‘Everyone wants clean potable water, that’s a given. The council needs to continue with high priority investment to achieve this goal. Central government, the district health board and affordability will ultimately determine whether an unchlorinated supply is feasible. Council should investigate this and then consult the community on the affordability.
Nigel Simpson,
66, two-term
self-employed, MBA Member of the Institute of Directors ‘‘I offer considerable experience, appropriate qualified and applied skills for council’s governance role, with previous involvement in local government governance. Increasing concerns with consultation, decision making, current and forecast rate increases necessitate change. I stand to represent ratepayers as a competent, capable, strategic custodian governing assets and managing costs.
‘‘Maintaining council’s infrastructure, delivering safe clean potable water is and must continue to be council’s highest priority. It astonishes me that previous councillors have allowed this situation to exist so long. I would ensure council staff report actions taken and progress made to every meeting until this is permanently fixed.
Catherine Hawkins,
business owner
‘‘I am standing in the Taradale ward to bring my experience to the table. I am committing to this as a fulltime role and I am advocating for Taradale constituents to have easy access to elected officers to assist them in navigating dealing with council.
‘‘I will work to ensure clean, healthy drinking water in all Napier homes and I want to see council focus spending on future proofing infrastructure so that we don’t have any further outbreaks or surprises. Initially clearing sludge from our pipes is a short-term achievable goal.
Gary Wise,
55, commercial realtor ‘‘I’m standing for NCC as I believe I can contribute to my city people. I guess I’m your local but worldly candidate given my business, sporting and community achievements over the last 30 years. My travels whilst refereeing have given me a great base to compare with Napier City.
‘‘The water issue is my priority. Whilst it appears that the current council are working with plans to improve this, I intend to keep driving this topic until we have a definitive plan. The meeting with Jim Graham was very enlightening and inspired me to take a greater interest.
Ronda Chrystal,
52, Account manager (sales)/food safety consultant
‘‘It is time for change in Napier, we need smart, talented people that can work together as a team and are prepared to listen and stand up for resident’s needs. I have these qualities as well as common sense and integrity. We need to fix the basics first.
‘‘Clean water is a basic need for people. We have serious water issues in Napier, chlorination of drinking water, discharge of storm water and wastewater all effected by ageing infrastructure. As a microbiologist, I would add a useful skill set needed to move forward on these issues.
Tania Wright,
42, Ex-Taradale
56, councillor
‘‘I bring 15 years of local government experience to the table alongside 35 years of community service giving me an extensive knowledge of the local community and an understanding of what the needs and issues are. I wish to continue to build a legacy that my grandchildren and future citizens can be proud of.
‘‘Water is the number one priority for this city, with spending in 2019/20 reaching over $37 million to address issues with our drinking water, stormwater and wastewater networks.
‘‘I support an independent review of our drinking water regarding options and costings for an unchlorinated network.