Bernard Westerbaan

Bernard has been a proud New Zealander since 1982 and says “It would be a privilege to be your representative on council.”

He is a longtime resident in the Waipa¯ area and married with five children and 10 grandchildren.

Benard says he is “financially prudent, with local government knowledge through work and as a past Te Awamutu Community Board member”.

He was on the board of trustees of the Te Awamutu Intermediate School for 15 years and is current treasurer for Te Awamutu Grey Power. His community involvement has been with Commsafe and CCTV, as well as the Christmas Parade.

Bernard has personal interests in his family, family history, football, music and people’s welfare.

He says in regards to council, “Individuality as well as teamwork is needed to get a wide perspective on matters that affect our ratepayers. It is important to keep the all elected people accountable with robust discussions on decisions that affect

all our residents. Councillors are elected to work for those who elected them.

“Core services are the items council needs to concentrate on. Rates increases to be kept to a bare minimal.”

Bernard adds that “public transport is needed in our towns to help those with disabilities or with no other transport”.

Bernard’s focuses are:

1) Parking for senior citizens and those with disabilities in the CBD 2) Accessibility for scooters in the CBD.

3) Objection to adding fluoride to our freshwater supply

4) Objection to co-governance, what will this mean if it goes through, will ratepayers be allowed to have a say? 5) Objection to Three Waters, infrastructure paid for and maintained by our own ratepayers. Do you expect that we will get cheaper water? 6) More housing for pensioners. 7) Maintaining our War Memorial Park.

See more on Facebook: westerbaan4waipa.