Hands rise early in race for Tasman mayoralty
Early indications point to a competitive race for the office of Tasman district mayor.
Three potential candidates have so far raised their hands for the role – first-term MoutereWaimea Ward councillor Dean McNamara, former mayoral hopeful Maxwell Clark, and Motueka Community Board chairman Brent Maru.
In addition, long-term deputy mayor Tim King said he was considering tossing his hat into the ring.
News of likely multiple mayoral aspirants comes after four-term mayor Richard Kempthorne on Thursday announced that he would not seek re-election in October, when the triennial local body elections are scheduled.
‘‘I think it’s time for someone else to pick up the baton,’’ Kempthorne said, adding that he hoped King might step up to the mark.
King, who has held the role of deputy mayor since 2001, said: ‘‘I am seriously considering it, more seriously than I ever have before.’’
However, the Moutere-Waimea Ward councillor only recently moved back to his Eves Valley farm after his family was evacuated when the Tasman wildfire came close to their house.
‘‘I have so much to do at home at this stage,’’ King said, adding that he had not made a final decision on whether to vie for the mayoralty. ‘‘I have to work all that out.’’
He said he knew what the job involved, and had filled in at times for Kempthorne. ‘‘I know what I’m in for.’’
The role of mayor was a fulltime job, King said, different to his current dual positions of councillor and farmer.
‘‘I just have to be certain myself it’s something . . . I can make a decent job of.
‘‘You’ve got to be really sure you want the responsibility.’’
McNamara said he was putting his name forward ‘‘representing a number of councillors and many within our community’’ who believed it was time for a culture change within the council. ‘‘Not just a face change.’’
The next three years were going to be crucial as the council faced significant challenges ‘‘with infrastructure costs blowing out and a debt cap with no room to move’’, he said.
‘‘Either we elect a prudent council that looks to manage finances, or we elect those that think we need to raise the debt lid and correspondingly future rate increases,’’ McNamara said.
‘‘I will be standing for a council of prudent financial management that is not afraid to consult with the ratepayers before making decisions with district-wide and intergenerational consequences.’’
Maru, who is facilities general manager for Sport Tasman, said he had been considering standing for the mayoralty for about a year.
Experienced in governance and involved in the Motueka community, the community board chairman said it was ‘‘fitting’’ for him to run.
‘‘I understand the mechanism of council, I understand the challenges for the district,’’ he said. ‘‘I think, I can add fresh, strong leadership.’’
Maru said he understood the importance of the wider district.
‘‘Motueka, Richmond and Golden Bay thrive when the district thrives,’’ he said, adding that he also looked further afield to Nelson, Buller and Marlborough. ‘‘We need to work closer together as the top of the south.’’
Clark, who finished third behind Kempthorne and Cr Kit Maling in the 2016 mayoral race, confirmed his intention to run again.
‘‘I have been encouraged by the community to stand,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s time that they had a voice to stand up for the community, and that’s what I’m offering.’’
If elected, Clark said, he would review the council’s decision to build the $106 million Waimea dam in the Lee Valley.
He would also ban most ‘‘secret meetings and workshops’’, opening more council gatherings to the public. Very few matters needed to be discussed behind closed doors, Clark said.
Maling said he would not be standing for mayor in October but was likely to stand for the council. ‘‘I want to see some things finished.’’
Candidate nominations for the 2019 local body elections open on July 19.
They are due to close on August 16, with polling day scheduled for October 12.