What were the challenges leading up to the election?
All campaigns are challenging, and this was no different. It’s harder if you are not already on the council. You need to make assumptions that hopefully aren’t too far off the mark! I was lucky to have strong support in the community and appreciated the ideas and questions people raised.
What helped to ensure your success?
I got the impression that people were focused on ensuring the new council would have experienced leadership. We have many problems and moving through them will not be easy.
SWDC had the third highest voting turn out in New Zealand. Why do you think this was?
A number of factors influenced this:
- People wanted change at the elected level of council.
- There was strong competition for both mayoralty and council. Candidates all ran active campaigns and people were motivated because of the concern about decreasing voter turnout in recent years.
- South Wairarapa has a slightly older population than the New Zealand average. Older people tend to be more regular voters.
- In the case of South Wairarapa many people have moved here from Wellington to retire.
- They have escaped the Wellington Beltway but are still passionate about local politics.
What are your main priorities, both personal and professional over the next few months working closely with Janice Smith CEO of SWDC?
Janice has already made many positive changes at the Council, and I am looking forward to working with her. I campaigned on a cultural change, starting with elected people. All newly elected councillors support this. Together with Janice we are committed to seeing the council demonstrate that it is accessible and user friendly. Clearly there are huge issues of affordability for residents but also the need for council to deliver the delayed infrastructure is now a hard reality. This was all highlighted in the campaign. We will be looking at workable options to deliver efficiently. The fact that this is long term has not changed because of the election- it will be hard slog!
You have succeeded in gathering a strong team of councillors. How do you think they can contribute?
The Council is strong and competent with a range of skills in different areas. We met formally on Monday after the election and have had several more meetings to get to know one another, share ideas, as well introducing an induction programme to help understand processes mechanics and legal requirements.
Each councillor has their own interests, and I know they are committed to working effectively and appropriately with passion. This is not only about what the council spends. It is about being an advocate and facilitator, removing roadblocks to economic growth and community resilience. Councillors share this view.
As Earnest Rutherford said, “We haven’t got the money, so we’ve got to think”.
We are now formally sworn in so we can get to work. Watch this space!
