Councillor resigns

A Horizons Regional councillor is leaving the role eight weeks early so she can take up a new job in the agribusiness sector.

Horowhenua-based Colleen Sheldon was not going to stand in the October local body elections, saying she planned to do more study.

But she has left much earlier, with the news of her resignation announced by chairman Bruce Gordon after Tuesday’s strategy and policy committee meeting.

Sheldon said she was calling time early because she had been offered a job in Whanganui as a strategic lead in the agribusiness sector, working with land owners.

‘‘They were looking for someone with good local government networks.’’

She had planned to study the viability of rural communities, which her new job related to, she said.

Fellow Horowhenua-based councillor Lindsay Burnell said he had enjoyed working with Sheldon, both on the council and beforehand. ‘‘She has always been someone who will support you.’’

Many people in Horowhenua would be sad she was standing down, he said.

Gordon said she did a superb job of representing her community.

While sad to see her go, having her still connected with Horizons through her work was a win for everyone, he said.

The council voted not to hold a byelection to replace Sheldon, instead leaving the position vacant until October’s election.

Three people have so far been nominated to fill her empty seat: Lake Horowhenua activist and Muau¯ poko member Phil Taueki; Sam Ferguson, the Green Party candidate for O¯ taki at the 2017 general election; and farmer and long-time Levin resident Michael Kay.

People have until noon tomorrow to get their candidate nominations in.