Broadcaster adds voice to candidate list

‘‘I saw the college become one of the most progressive state secondary schools in the Wellington region.’’

Another voice has been added to the competition for seats at the Kapiti Coast District Council table in the next term.

It comes as new faces are guaranteed in the next council.

John Howson announced on Monday he was standing for the Kapiti Coast District Council.

The former broadcaster says he wants to bring lessons learned on Kapiti College’s board to limit the ‘‘petty sideshows’’ and dysfunction on the next council.

Howson was chairman of the Kapiti College board for almost six years, and sat on the board for nine.

He said he could bring his experiences from a period when the college’s new gym was financed and built, and planning for the school’s new performing arts centre began.

‘‘I saw the college become one of the most progressive state secondary schools in the Wellington region.

‘‘You get the sort of success we had by having a very cohesive and positive board, supported by a strong management team.’’

He said he encouraged robust debate, but the complaints of a ‘‘negative few’’ was debilitating for others around the council table.

‘‘It seems to me council’s decision is never right in their eyes. It’s made it a kind of battleground.’’

It is the first time Howson has stood for council election.

He has lived in Kapiti for 25 of the past 30 years. His broadcast- ing career included stints as the Radio New Zealand head of radio, and as an international rugby commentator.

Whatever happens Kapiti is guaranteed new faces at its council table after election day on October 8.

Three council seats would open up with Diane Ammundsen not standing, Gavin Welsh standing only for the mayoralty and Penny Gaylor running for a regional council seat.

Most of the remaining councillors had confirmed they would stand again.

K Gurunathan would stand for the mayoralty and a council seat, while Janet Holborow, Mike Cardiff, Michael Scott, and David Scott said they planned to run again as councillors.

Councillor Murray Bell said he was undecided about whether he would stand again, while Jackie Elliott said she would run for the mayoralty, but was undecided about running as a councillor.

Nominations for candidates opened on Friday and close at midday on August 12.

WHO’S STANDING?

On Wednesday no nominations had been officially entered, but the following candidates had announced they intended running for the mayoralty: Angela Buswell Ross Church Jackie Elliott K Gurunathan Gavin Welsh The following candidates had announced they were looking to stand as councillors: Mike Cardiff K Gurunathan Janet Holborow John Howson Iride McCloy David Scott Michael Scott Meanwhile as of Wednesday there were two candidates announced for Greater Wellington Regional Council’s Kapiti seat: Penny Gaylor Nigel Wilson