No changes to mayoralty in Hawke’s Bay
Three mayors who faced challenges all returned
No changes are expected in any of the five council mayoralties in wider Hawke’s Bay, with all three incumbents who faced challenges at the polls expected to be re-elected now most votes have been counted.
And all 10 seeking re-election to the 12-member Napier City Council are returned, joined by Julie Greig in the Nelson Park Ward (replacing Api Tapine) and Chad Tareha in Taradale (replacing Tania Wright).
Mayor Wise welcomed the support to retain stability on the Napier City Council, enhancing the making of early decisions. And with the two new members having been actively involved in community affairs — Chad familiar with processes as chair of the council’s Ma¯ori committee and Julie having successfully sought a playground project near the rose garden next to Kennedy Park and a pedestrian crossing on Latham St.
With three incumbents re-elected in Taradale, Chad effectively replaced veteran councillor Tania Wright, who did not seek re-election.
The Napier council also has reelected Nelson Park ward member Sally Crown.
The election brings some history and leadership heritage to the council, with Chad a descendant of Ngati Kahungunu chief Tareha Te Moananui, who in 1868 was one of the first four Ma¯ori elected as Members of Parliament.
The 36-year-old Chad, who is also chairman of Ngati Paarau Hapu Trust, representing one of the seven shoreline hapu¯ of once-great inland waterway Te Whanganui-o-Orotu, said he’d been thinking about standing for the last three years, not so much as a reaction to the council deferral of a Ma¯ori ward decision until the new term, but ultimatelywas propelled by those who gave him “the elbow” to get his nomination in on the last day.
He’d campaigned hard, attending six Meet the Candidate gatherings, visiting events and doing “a lot of door-knocking” to garner support, banking on a background of community support which currently includes helping 21 schools with curriculum and local history advice.
But he wasn’t being too confident, saying: “There were a couple of sleepless nights.”
While Napier won’t be considering its Ma¯ori ward position until a representation review in 2024, the area from Wairoa to Tararua does have four new Ma¯ori wards, bringing five of the new representatives at council tables.