Deputy feels ‘empowered’

New Lower Hutt deputy mayor Tui Lewis is pleased to be part of a societal shift and part of a new-look council.

The three-term Harbour ward councillor said she was excited to be part of a fresh team – of Hutt City’s 12 councillors, six are new – given the chance to bring a new energy to the council and city.

Following her appointment by mayorelect Campbell Barry yesterday, she said the recognition was ‘‘empowering’’.

Lewis said she didn’t stand for council to climb the political ladder but the position would let her be part of a progressive agenda that would help better the city and give constituents a greater voice.

‘‘I just want to make the city hum but if Campbell sees a role for me to help empower the city, I’m happy to be a part of the team.’’

Lewis said she’d had a long and varied working life in IT, hospitality, community boards and as a councillor, which put her in contact with a lot of people.

It was this experience and her ability to build relationships that made her stand out as deputy mayor material, Barry said.

Lewis said reinstating swimming facilities in Naenae was high on her priority list, as was addressing climate change.

Of Nga¯itai and Nga¯ti Manu descent, she also wanted to broker closer relationships with iwi, which she said ‘‘hasn’t been the focus of previous councils’’.

Barry said they had been given a clear mandate by the electorate to change how the council operated. The appointment of Lewis to deputy mayor signalled a new approach and there were more changes to come.