Candidates have their say

An extraordinary vacancy occurred in the Katikati-waihi Beach Ward as a result of the resignation of councillor Christina Humphreys. A byelection will be held on Friday, April 30. Here are the 10 candidates vying for the single seat on council.

Are you sick of seeing your rates bill rising ever higher? Western Bay residents face a triple whammy of a 50 per cent rates hike over the next 10 years (this year’s big jump is just the start), a tripling of council’s net debt and a huge run up in opaque reserve funds.

If elected, I will be a solid advocate for lower rates and sensible spending/ budgeting by the council. I pledge transparency and ongoing communication with voters. I will not be a councillor who disappears between elections.

I live in Katikati, where I run a thriving wholesale business. My family love living here, I have two grown sons and we have a baby on the way. I worked around the globe as a financial journalist and editor before returning home five years ago. You can read more about my commitment to tackling the council’s overspending and high rates at www.rodneyjoyce.nz

KEVIN TOHIARIKI

I will bring intelligent, assertive and energised debate to the Council Chamber. Our communities need a voice that puts them first, our small businesses need as much support in these trying times as they can get, our horticultural-agricultural backbone has difficult seas to negotiate and needs a good navigator.

With a lifetime of experience to fall back on, including NZ Military aviation service, to running an international European aerospace company, Katikati-waihi Beach gains someone who can read the road ahead, someone who can articulate in council a reasoned approach and secure the backing of others for success.

Policy-making that supports our community requires representation, accountability and transparency. It requires a candidate that can deliver the right stuff. Your vote counts, put the right person in place.

DAVID MARSHALL

I am committed to continuing my strong advocacy for our local communities.

My key priorities are:

● Building thriving local communities.

● Fighting for minimal rate increases.

● Increasing availability of affordable homes.

● Fostering economic recovery and access to work for our young people.

● Lobbying for the Katikati Bypass and O¯ mokoroa to Tauranga motorway.

I have local and international experience in senior management, three years as councillor at WBOPDC, and qualification as a Hearings Commissioner. On council I fought tirelessly to contain rates — particularly to reduce the impact on the more vulnerable. This commitment remains.

I have active local community involvement including serving as Katikati Community Centre Board Chair, Project Leader securing funding for our first Youth Employment Coach, Trustee on Health Trust, Grey Power Federation Board member, and Katikati Festival of Cultures committee member.

I am a team player with integrity and accountability who listens to the community.

BRYCE BEVIN

(Independent) Former lawyer, international rugby coach, professional rugby player, Masters cyclist, Ironman, secondary school English, French and physical education teacher, dairy farm milker, haymaker, shearing gang presser, concrete truck driver and presently proprietor of La Vie en Rose Cafe and Tapas Bar Waihi Beach and 25 handicap amateur golfer.

Mission: Save the ward from the detrimental effects of mass immigration by pre-emptively building infrastructure and preserve for our children: peace, tranquility, quality of life, the coastal environment.

To Do: No rates hikes, no debt loading, no frills council activities confined to roads, pipes and rubbish. Any ancillary activities funded by central government and regional council funds e.g. NZTA Innovation Streets Fund, Provincial Growth Fund (new version) etc. Back to the Bones council work.

Council work and admin hubs in Waihi Beach and Katikati — decentralise and save huge travel costs of contractors and inspectors. Local people doing local work.

ALLAN SOLE

Experience and knowledge of council process is needed at this time with little more than a year left to run in this trimester.

Six years as chair of the Waihi Beach Community Board has given me a head start to hit the ground running. My experience in governance and business is also part of what I have to offer.

The northern gateway to the WBOP (Katikati-waihi Beach Ward) has for some time appeared to be overlooked and a focus on council and Government Agencies to provide more/better services to our ratepayers is needed. My strong voice in support of our ward and the other two ward councillors can make a difference.

Delivering better value to you and keeping rate rises down is important to help make living here affordable.

I am available to listen and support you. Be transparent and help make a difference in our community.

GRIFF COOKE (Independent)

My principal place of residence is in the Katikati — Waihi Beach Ward area.

My professional background ranges across retail, hospitality, IT and health.

There is an obvious requirement for an increase in local infrastructure to keep up with the rapidly increasing local population. With the impact of the current Covid-19 crisis there needs to be an awareness on the limitations of people to handle financial stressors such as overly increasing rates. Balancing these two points would be a definite priority.

Another area of focus would be supporting the environment without applying unreasonable pressure on the local industries.

I am a strong believer in supporting local companies and keeping the profits in the community, and country in general, rather than having them go to overseas nations.

It is my intent to be available as much as possible to liase with and represent the opinions and concerns of all peoples of the ward and conduct myself with proactive, constructive, and mature politics.

JOHN CLEMENTS

Living in Katikati is fantastic, especially with Waihi Beach and other attractions close by. I have served on the Katikati Community Board for the past 15 months and am involved in developing the Katikati Community Plan.

If elected to council my focus will be on containing rates increases, accountability and creating highervalue jobs for the area without impacting services. I believe the community needs strong representation that puts the interests of ratepayers and the community first, while keeping to our mandate.

I believe I have the leadership skills to achieve this, having held senior roles in large corporates and owning a business for over 20 years consulting in business improvement, leadership and productivity. I have experience in efficiency and cost management.

We have to look to the future and position the Ward as dynamic and entrepreneurial, creating sustainable communities with skills, jobs and growth for now and future generations.

KIM WILLIAMS

Belief in what’s good for Tauranga and the Western BOP has influenced me to stand in this byelection.

Progressing vibrant communities starts with responsive, dynamic, ethical leadership — therefore selecting a person who will clearly identify with people’s issues and initiatives should be front of mind.

In my prior TCC candidacy I recognised it is critical to reflect the diversity of our region’s social and cultural demographics.

This is about inclusion, not separatism. Like then, preferring not to make promises I couldn’t keep, I instead promise to be the people’s voice in Chambers, serving residents with the benefit of innovative, relevant, pragmatic representation.

My governance experience, funds and property management skills, along with professional networks to grassroots community and business involvement, more than well equip me for the wide-ranging tasks we which lay ahead.

I’m here to listen and ready to take action for us all.

BILL HEDGES

(Independent)

My place of residence is in the Katikatiwaihi Beach Ward area. I am a “new” local business owner. Being new, I bring fresh ideas and perspectives and I am not part of the old status quo. I was brought up to be frugal, prudent and well-informed on my subject.

Although new to the area I am hearing a few common issues pop up that are not being addressed — the biggest — for an area with a large number are retirees, I find it shameful that many can not afford to retire here with the current rates.

My employment background includes the military, the arts, management, building industry, education (pre-school and intermediate), technology and the health sector. I have also attended conferences across many sectors developing a wide knowledge base.

It would be a privilege to listen and to speak honestly and independently on your behalf.

ANDREW HOLLIS

A resident and ratepayer of the Western Bay since 2000. A history tied to Waihi Beach and Katikati going back to the 70s (and family links to 1840).

The lack of transparency and consultation we get from our council is disgraceful. Ninety workshops held over the past three years and all of them behind closed doors.

Money is pouring from areas like Te Puke, Te Puna, Waihi Beach and Katikati to be thrown unreasonably into one place, O¯ mokoroa. And the whole district is being told we must pay enormous amounts to let more people flood in. Growth doesn’t pay for growth. It’s a con.

You need someone with the guts to speak up and be your voice.

I stand for transparency, fairer rates and less waste. That we are told and never asked disgusts me. It’s time for someone new.

● Voting papers have been sent to eligible electors by post — the voting period runs from April 8 until noon on April 30. Polling places for issuing special votes and receiving completed voting papers are available at the Katikati Library & Service Centre, Waihi Beach Library & Service Centre and at Council’s main office at Barkes Corner or phone 0800 922 822.