WESTERN BAY OF PLENTY DISTRICT COUNCIL – KAIMAI WARD COUNCILLOR
Don Thwaites
My principal place of residence is in the Kaimai Ward area. I am also standing for Mayor.
If not your Mayor - I still have the passion and drive to contribute to govern your $100 million business.
This year I seek your tick of support. A council chairman for the past 9 years. Caroline and I’ve raised our family, enjoying the rural Tauranga hinterland. Please “click” on my Facebook page to learn a bit more.
I am very focussed on sticking to our key functions as a council, notably the 3R's & the 3 W’s. (Roads, Reserves, Rubbish and the Waters).
Household budgets only go so far - I don’t support council moving into health, education etc if waters were to become a utility like your electricity & communications.
At the end of the day, households have only so much left after taxation to Central government, so it is vital for council to stick to its knitting in the most cost effective manner.
Tick Thwaites for WBOPDC.
MIndependent y principal place of residence is in the Kaimai Ward area. I'm the editor of Lizard News. Liz and I have lived in WBoP for 15 years. I've volunteered as a Community Patroller, and a campaigner for SH2 investment which continues to take shape. Local authorities face unprecedented remodelling, across multiple areas of focus by central government; from 3 Waters and co-governance, to housing, climate change and resource management.
We need Councillors of intelligence and acumen, with the courage and determination to listen to the community and represent the spectrum of views while making decisions of benefit. We must put people first, rural and urban, and plan for sustainable progress while protecting environmental outcomes for the neighbourhoods we call home.
Amid the economic challenges of population growth, we must maintain constructive partnerships with any government, to attract infrastructure investment as inflation threatens project affordability. Common sense dictates Council must balance fair rates and wise spending with public expectations of service provision.
My principal place of residence is in the Kaimai Ward area. Graduated BE (Electrical) followed by a post-graduate Diploma in Public Health Engineering. A qualification with subjects that Councils deal with, such as: Water supply; wastewater; storm water; refuse disposal and environmental noise and as a qualified Resource Management Commissioner, I understand issues that staff bring to the Council table.
With a career including central government department, engineering consultancy, private small business and finally Director of IT for a major UK charity, exposure to governance challenges has been broad. A comprehensive understanding of the technology issues and challenges Council staff grapple with in this rapidly changing digital landscape.
I will: Continue to oppose the fundamentally flowed 3 Waters proposals. Bigger is not always better.
Seek to improve Kaimai Ward Forum to better hear rural concerns.
Lobby for SH2 and SH29.
Retain local control for local issues. Keep listening to your concerns. Website: votegrainger.nz; I seek your support for re-election, thanks.
Independent M y principal place of residence is in the Kaimai Ward area.
My principle place of residence is in the Kaimai Ward and have been a resident for the past 12 years.
Kia Ora Community Members, I am taking up the challenge to represent Diversity in our council for the next 3 years. I bring a fresh and common-sense approach and perspective to create better outcomes for the community. We face many challenges around Urban Development and Transport Infrastructure and as one of the fastest growing regions in New Zealand I will ensure the community's needs are met. I am supportive of positive growth and our ongoing partnership with Tangata Whenua. As a past elected member of the BOPDHB for 9 years I have the governance and advocacy skill set to serve my constituents.
I am accessible and experienced with many active networks within the community and will use these to serve to the best of my ability. 48 years old, married with 3 sons, I enjoy a variety of sporting and outdoor activities. Vote Matua