Candidates for Inglewood Board

Voting papers are currently being delivered to eligible votes for the New Plymouth District Council Inglewood Community Board vacant seat.

There are three people standing in the by-election: Mel Cook, Megan Hale and Michael Self.

Voting papers will be delivered to South-West Ward residents who are on the electoral roll for the Inglewood Community Board area by 29 August, with voting closing on 20 September.

If you live in or own property in the Inglewood Community Board area but are not on the electoral roll, you can apply to enrol as either a residential or ratepayer elector until Tuesday 19 September — the day before the close of voting — by going to a Post Shop or the Civic Centre on Liardet Street, New Plymouth, or online to elections.org.nz or newplymouthnz.com

The community board vacancy was created following the resignation of board member Phil Rowe.

The Stratford Press invited each of the three candidates to submit 150-word profile which we have printed.

I have loved living in Inglewood for the past 27 years and I am passionate about promoting the future growth of our community.

I’ve owned my own insurance business now for 35 years. I’m active in several community groups including Rotary (since 1996) and the Inglewood High School Board of Trustees (2004), which I’ve chaired since 2007. I’m a member and supporter of the Golf Club and was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 2015.

I like to get things done and I have the courage to act on my convictions. I enjoy working collaboratively, yet I have the confidence to lead and encourage conversations and actions that drive positive change.

I believe our board needs to boldly lead our community. If elected I would ensure we work hard to continue to make Inglewood a great place to live and work.

Iaman energetic, motivated wife, mother of a young family and successful business women. I am standing for election on the Inglewood Community Board to represent a different demographic and offer diversity to the board so that Inglewood is truly represented. My family and I live in Inglewood township and we have family affiliations to Tarata/ Purangi area.

I’m pleased to offer my service to you, my community. My previous experience as an Egmont Plains Community Board member and South Taranaki District Councillor has taught me how to work closely with residents and communities for positive progress. I am independent of any political party therefore able to serve all parts of our community. Above all I stand for people first, looking after our land and water, and building active communities.

My Inglewood connections go back five generations to my great, great grandfather Alois Klenner. Since 2000 Inglewood has been the centre of my television presenter/producer work and during this time I have helped tell many local stories on TV. I was a teacher, tutor and parent at Inglewood High School. I live on small block on Wortley Rd, Waiongona with my wife Karen Clarke and together we run the Studio 64 concerts and grow trees for riparian planting.