Mayoral hope focused on mana whenua
Helping and supporting mana whenua is a high priority for
Susan O’Regan, who is hoping to become Waipā District’s next mayor.
Originally from Rukuhia, O’Regan will challenge current mayor Jim Mylchreest, promising to bring a ‘‘strong, energetic and fresh’’ sense of leadership.
O’Regan won the Kakepuku
Ward unopposed in the 2019 local government election and is running for the top job with ambitious intentions, including addressing iwi aspirations at a local level.
‘‘We have a great district, but council needs to change,’’ she said. ‘‘We need to make it easier to deal with us, we need to listen and take care of our diverse population.
‘‘We need to work more effectively together to make Waipā’s communities more resilient and vibrant so there is a better future for us all.’’
O’Regan says she understands the importance for the district’s ‘‘often uncomfortable local histories to be told’’.
‘‘As a current councillor I have had the privilege of working alongside mana whenua in various environments and have grown what I believe are strong respectful relationships.
‘‘[I’ve] been very active in this space, including organising Waipā’s inaugural Rā Maumahara Day in 2017.
‘‘I have always been an advocate for increased Māori participation in our decision-making by voting for the creation of Mā ori wards in 2017 and again in 2022.
‘‘We need to address hapū and iwi aspirations at a local level carefully and on a broad range of issues. These include the implementation of Te Ture Whaimana [the vision and strategy for Waikato River] and discussions around the development of papakā inga.’’
She also said the council has to proceed with work to acknowledge and protect sites of cultural significance.
Although Waikato-Tainui avoids responding to candidates involved in political campaigns, it did acknowledge the importance of ensuring mana whenua’s engagement. ‘‘Our position is that we expect local and regional bodies to engage with iwi and mana whenua on all sites of cultural significance in their respective areas – irrespective of their political make-up,’’ Waikato-Tainui deputy chief executive Jason Ake said.