Susan O’Regan
for Mayor
“Together we can build a better future Waipa¯ for all — the young, the not so young, rural and urban alike. To do this Waipa¯ needs energetic and fresh leadership — that’s why I’m standing for mayor. It is time for change,” says Susan.
Susan is a Waipa¯ girl, born and bred. She is a district councillor, mother, lawyer, award-winning farmer and a passionate resident of Waipa¯. She chose to raise her family and do business here. “I am part of this district and it is part of me.”
Susan has law and politics degrees and amongst other things worked as a ministerial assistant in the Beehive, practised as a litigation lawyer locally and established her own business as a barrister in Te Awamutu. She is currently a farmer and with her husband, John Hayward, owns Judge Valley Dairies. They’re past winners of the Ballance Farm Environment Awards and finalists in the Dairy Business of the Year awards.
She has amassed a variety of governance experience and is serving her second term as a councillor and is chairperson of the Strategic Planning and Policy Committee.
“I know how both central and local government works which is crucial. John and I have five children between us so my time management, sense of humour and multitasking skills are well developed — and regularly tested,” says Susan.
She believes Waipa¯ District Council needs to communicate better with communities and actively listen.
“This is so we can better understand and reflect what people want the district to look like now and into the future. Dealing with council unquestionably should be easier and more enabling. It is critical our organisation is held to account to make sure our plans and projects are completed on time, within budget and following best practice.
“I want a district that offers a thriving economy where we collaborate with business experts. We need planned and well-managed development but at the same time ensure protect our precious productive soils.
“I want to live in a place that is safe and healthy for our residents no matter their age or where they live. A district that looks after our environment. A place that has an efficient and safe transport network for people and freight.”
Susan says she will make no apologies for advocating strongly to central government in the best interests of our communities. “It’s crucial at this time of reform that we have a leader who can lobby for our district. We cannot afford to get this wrong — experience and energy are bottom lines for this job.”
She believes “no single person around our council table makes all the decisions. One of the most valuable skills to have is the ability to collaborate. It’s about building effective respectful working relationships. It’s about making sound, evidencebased, considered decisions collectively.”
Susan says she is “straightforward, honest and approachable. I am a natural communicator and collaborator with a strong track-record of advocating and delivering for the community. A vote for me as mayor is a vote for positive change.”
For more see www.timeforchange. nz.