Hawke’s Bay
CENTRAL HAWKE’S BAY Will Foley,
42, farmer
‘‘I’m standing to have the opportunity to represent CHB as a strong advocate for our region and a collaborative voice to achieve outcomes. I’m experienced in leadership and governance and want to achieve positive environmental outcomes for our region alongside a thriving economy.
‘‘Water security is still unresolved with the demise of the Ruataniwha dam. The new way forward hasn’t been concluded with research to be done around Managed Aquifer Recharge, on farm or small storage schemes and just improving our existing water use efficiency. Monitoring work around current groundwater allocation is essential.’’
Tony Kuklinski,
44, garden landscaper/farmer
‘‘To truly represent town and country on the regional council. We need to look after and improve soil. The continued build-up of shingle in the Waipawa and Tukituki rivers has led to declining flood capacity of the existing stop banks. I will focus on real, practical and affordable solutions.
‘‘We need better science at the regional council to more accurately organise water allocation. Here in CHB, farmers with dissolved inorganic nitrogen levels below the limit are now required to apply for a resource consent if the sub catchment they’re in is over the limit. This is unfair.’’
HASTINGS Rick Barker,
ex-Labour MP and Cabinet minister, treaty negotiator for the Crown
‘‘Ensure our water is safe to drink, swim; that we have sufficient for our environment, people and economy. Focus on climate change, the causes, prepare for the effects and by planting trees, protect hill and waterways, we can also provide for our natural biodiversity. Provide a thriving environment, people and economy.’’
Tom Belford,
publisher
‘‘As regional councillor, I’ve worked hard to recommit HBRC to its core environmental mission. We stopped over-allocation of water. Launched a biodiversity trust. Began ten-year planting programme to reduce erosion and protect streams. Upgraded key recreation areas. Intensified our global warming response. I’m standing to keep the momentum going.
‘‘Water is THE priority. First we had to stop our predecessors’ misbegotten dam and stop overallocating water from our aquifers. Now we must get it right – ecosystem protection; safe, chlorine-free drinking water; swimmable waterways; keeping sewage out of the Tukituki & Ahuriri estuary; providing sustainable water use for growers.’’
Craig Foss,
councillor and
self-employed ‘‘Together, we can get the Right Balance at the regional council, ensuring your views, values and expectations for transparency and accountability are delivered. I will ensure prudent oversight of the proceeds from the port float.To bring HBRC into tune with your family, community and business aspirations for Hawke’s Bay.
‘‘I walk the environmental and changing climate talk; It starts at my home, fencing streams; planting countless native trees; removing pests, creating a QEII conservation block and installing solar energy. HBRC carbon footprint should be measured and reported. Pest control needs to be re-focused. HBRC needs to walk its talk.’’
Tim Gilbertson,
65, farmer ‘‘Honest independent individuals make the best councillors. Rex and the Romans, funded by special interests, have brought party politics to Hawkes Bay, replacing impartiality with prejudice. Typically, they tried to blame the Havelock water catastrophe, caused by negligence , on distant dairy farmers .These shenanigans need to stop.
‘‘Climate change caused by fossil fuels is by far the greatest long term threat to our region our country and our planet. Water quality is being used as an election ploy locally and nationally despite the fact that all sites monitored by HBRC show water quality is improving albeit slowly.’’
Rex Graham,
HBRC chair
‘‘We have begun a journey to make HB a centre of excellence with a strong economy (currently the highest GDP growth in NZ ) that works in harmony with the environment. We need to find and establish this balance and unite our community around the issues that matter.
‘‘To be able to provide clean, safe drinking water for our people, Water for our rivers, streams, estuaries and lakes and water for our industry to provide jobs and prosperity for our region.
Peter Guerin
‘‘I understand local government and its importance to communities. I have the time and commitment to make a difference. I will focus on the important matters making a real impact on our region. My 20 years experience as a local authority CEO, I will make a significant contribution to policy debate.
‘‘Safe secure drinking water is the major urban issue for our regional. Although disliked by many water users, chlorination is only a shortterm treatment option to reduce risk. It is safe but can have negative side effects for some. Research, asset management, engineering, monitoring, treatment, etc will lead to reduced chlorination.’’
Mary O’Neill,
company director,
40+, environmental
scientist
‘‘I stand for HBRC because I am concerned about the hydraulic connection of the major Heretaunga aquifer systems with three surface water bodies: Ngaruroro, Tutaekur¯ı and Tukituki river (including all neighbouring smaller water bodies). People, biodiversity, habitats, we all depend on groundwater. Here we need to bring together our environmental, social, cultural and economic wellbeing. I promise, we can make it.
Grant Seton
‘‘Action required about noise, odours, water, smoke, waste and not to send work as far away as PNCC. Intersections of responsibility for local councils with regional council to be reviewed. I do not support 1080 poison use and I want a maximum of four terms on council.
‘‘No more gastro bugs. Monitoring and treatment as required. I also want to see both a ban on water exports and water imports. The current regime is both environmentally and economically unsustainable and do not benefit local communities as originally touted, instead we have foreign government water merchants.
NAPIER Neil Kirton,
business manager, HBR councillor
‘‘The regional council has made extraordinary progress in the past 3 years. Ratepayers are much better off. The council’s balance sheet has improved by $140 million. Most importantly, we can progress major environmental projects without large rate increases. I am standing to ensure money is spent wisely on critical environmental protection.
‘‘I am passionate about our coastal and marine environment. Through advocacy, I have secured over $1 million for trees around the Ahuriri Estuary and scientific research to better understand our inshore fisheries. Much more needs to be done to reduce waterways contamination. If elected, this will be my focus.’’
Hinewai Ormsby,
owner
‘‘Hinewai is a married mother of two who owns an award-winning tourism business, Napier Ma¯ori Tours. She is a former science teacher having both attended and taught at Napier Girls’. Hinewai sits on the Boards of Hawke’s Bay Tourism and Waiohiki Marae.
‘‘Hinewai knows that our region has immense potential in technology, tourism and high value horticulture and farming. However, these things don’t co-exist without a thriving natural environment. As a Napier environmental champion, she has already led projects to improve the health of the Ahuriri Estuary.’’
Nichola Nicholson,
34, celebrant ‘‘Our regional council needs diversity and renewed energy which I’m able to provide by bringing a fresh perspective, a younger voice, training and experience to the table. I believe that we need to work together, so we can create a thriving region supported by a healthy environment for everyone.
‘‘Talking to voters, it’s clear that clean safe water is the biggest concern in the Hawke’s Bay. We must ensure that the water we have is used wisely to support both our communities and economy, because it will not only affect us now but also generations to come.’’
Paul Bailey,
55, ex-business owner and bank manager
‘‘Paul has served one term as a regional councillor. He believes that HBRC is heading in the right direction with the main focus being on improving environmental and social outcomes whilst allowing for sustainable economic activity. Paul is pragmatic enough to approach every issue with an open mind.
‘‘So why should you re-elect Paul? To ensure the council’s environmental programmes are implemented as quickly and efficiently as possible. To improve consultation and transparency. To have someone who asks the hard questions. Paul will continue to treat the privilege of being a regional councillor as a full time role.’’
Martin Williams,
52, lawyer (specialising in environmental law) ‘‘Regional council business has been the focus of my professional working life. My policy priorities are tackling climate change, ensuring fair and sustainable freshwater allocation and management, making the case for a chlorine free water supply for Napier as strong as possible, protecting the remaining majority share in the Port of Napier, and restoring the region’s biodiversity and eroding marginal land.
‘‘I commit to smarter economic policy with greater priority on outcomes for the regional economy and ratepayers. I bring independence and offer fresh commitment to the job.’’
John Smith,
36, business
76, seasonal orchard
worker
‘‘To reverse the council’s resolution declaring a ‘‘climate emergency’’. Apparently ‘‘recognising global warming to be an urgent and pervasive threat to human and ecological wellbeing’’. If the councillors responsible (and their advisers) are that gullible to come up with that nonsense it is time to oust them.
‘‘Its protection and provision always a priority. Hence my advocacy for regenerative (holistic) farming methods that protects and enhances environment, conserves and purifies water and is sustainable. Ruataniwha was always a crock hence last council got that right.’’
Guy Wellwood,
65, retired lawyer ‘‘I am standing because now that I have retired from 40 years of law, I want to be a fulltime politician and believe my skills and experience would best suit the HB Regional Council, which needs new vigor to return to the basic functions for which it was established. Water is the biggest issue. The council has been sorely tested in recent years as a regulator of water quality, and water use . While much work has been done with studies like TANK everything is going to change again when the Government brings in its promised water proposals.
Jerf van Beek,
57, national coordinator for seasonal labour, and cherry grower
‘‘I want to help build and be part of a prosperous community where our local industries create jobs and opportunities, whilst protecting and Improving our natural environment for our future generations to enjoy. The pillars of our region are: Healthy land, healthy water and, most importantly, healthy communities.
‘‘Our land, rivers, streams, wetlands, estuaries and the coastline need to be treasured and protected. HB has plenty of water especially when we invest in storage. It is just how we as a community are going to manage water for the future wellbeing of the community and the environment.’’
WAIROA Fenton Wilson,
54, current regional representative for Wairoa, farmer
‘‘I am standing for the Wairoa constituency of the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council to continue progress for my district in regional road upgrades namely the bridging of the Waikare gorge opening up the road south. I will continue to champion this project.
‘‘Fresh water in the region is a huge topic at the moment and needs further focus in the next three years and beyond. I back sensible planting programs to filter out contaminants and keep soil on fragile hill country slopes. Pragmatic solutions that work without slowing rural economies.
Charles Lambert,
61, part-time researcher, Wairoa District councillor ‘‘I am deeply concerned about the sediment and nutrient runoff polluting our rivers; the constant threat of forestry slash; and the algal bloom that is polluting our coast line. These are not new issues. I say it’s time to tackle these issues – If I win we all win.
‘‘We need to clean and protect our water. If we need to make changes we will ensure that changes are relevant and affordable. This is not rocket science this is about communities working together, understanding each other’s needs and how we use both water and land. We can do this.’’
Steve Pattinson,
62, registered architect
‘‘To ensure transparency and that the public voice is heard. The council ignored the group which should have been its main consultants during the [Wellington bus] design process – the commuters’’ (Stuff, 21/9/2018). I will listen to and respect local knowledge, and advocate for what is important to our communities.
‘‘Wellington’s public transport should be the best in New Zealand. Urban development is concentrated along transport corridors serviced by electric rail! Scrap the Public Transport Operating Model. GWRC should manage infrastructure and public transport, co-ordinate bus and rail timetables and ticketing better, reduce fares, and improve drivers’ wages and conditions.’’
WAIRARAPA Pim Borren,
58, economist (photo not supplied)
‘‘GWRC has responsibility for both the region’s economic development and environmental development. The balance is the key. When I worked in local government we achieved that balance.
‘‘We created economic growth and new jobs after two decades of stagnation in Masterton but also won New Zealand’s most beautiful city award.
‘‘A key component of our local economy is our transportation links. They need to be modern and efficient. GWRC has a poor record. Trains are going slower and so are Wellington’s buses. We need better services so that [fewer] people need to drive. That is better economically and environmentally.’’