Waimakariri mayor retiring at end of term
Waimakariri Mayor David Ayers says he will retire at the end of the council’s term in October 2019.
Ayers said it was time for someone else to take on the mayoral responsibilities.
‘‘[My wife] Marilyn and I are at a stage in our lives, in our early 70s, where we want to step back rather than to commit a further three years to this role,’’ he said.
‘‘I continue to enjoy the role and being out in our fantastic community, but announcing my intentions now gives others plenty of time to consider standing.’’
Ayers reflected on his role as the Waimakariri Mayor and the earthquake recovery work, which had commanded a lot of his time.
‘‘Coming to the mayoralty one month after the September 2010 earthquake has meant that my time has been dominated by earthquake recovery, earthquake-prone buildings and town centre rebuilding.’’
He said the ongoing postearthquake projects in the Kaiapoi and Pines-Kairaki Regeneration Areas would be his primary focus for the remainder of his term.
Ayers famously showed his support for local businesses postearthquake by waiting four years for the rebuilt Rangiora Farmers store to open to buy new underwear.
Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey said Ayers will be remembered by the community for his strong and inclusive leadership in Waimakariri’s regeneration.
‘‘David and Marilyn have supported our community with a long history of community service, putting in extensive hours to support and attend events and a range of community initiatives.
Ayers was first elected to the Rangiora Borough Council in 1983 and is the only Rangiora Borough Councillor to have served on the Waimakariri District Council.
He has spent 29 years as a councillor or mayor and six years in the early 2000’s chairing the council’s Rangiora Ward Advisory Board.
He was the deputy mayor between 1995 and 2001 and was elected to the mayoralty in 2010.