1. Do you believe HBRC is ‘tough enough’ in enforcing environmental protections when challenging actions (or omissions) by other HB councils and businesses?
In Wairoa I have experienced firsthand HBRCprosecution of AFFCO NZ Ltd for an illegal discharge resulting in a $138,000 fine. As tangata whenua, a team of us produced the Cultural Impact Assessment which carried weight in the decision
under Te Mana o Te Wai. Enforcement, however, is only as strong as national
policy allows – and upcoming changes to the RMA will weaken those protections.
There is always room for improvement and communities must keep pushing for
stronger standards and resources to ensure compliance. If there are no rules – or
if the rules are gutted – then our taiao and our hapori will be the ones who pay the
price. Ka ora te taiao, ka ora te tangata!
2. Current estimates put the cost of all feasible flood control options for the region
at around $600 million. How do you believe HBRC should approach this huge
challenge … how much is ‘safe enough’?
Cyclone Gabrielle exposed both the risks and the gaps. The Māui ki Te Raki
constituency is living proof of this – the catastrophe affected not only lives but
livelihoods. Flood control requires strong central government support, so this
isn’t just a regional issue.
3. To help reduce the ratepayer cost of such a major potential scale of flood
protection, do you believe HBRC should consider selling down its shares in
Napier Port in order to invest instead in better earning financial assets?
Napier Port shares, held by HBRIC (Hawke’s Bay Regional Investment Company),
were intended to generate long-term returns so ratepayers don’t carry the full
burden. From what I have seen, those returns are now steady and providing
income that helps fund council kaupapa. Any proposal to sell them down needs
very careful due diligence – especially when climate resilience is our number one
priority. We shouldn’t plug a short-term gap by selling a long-term asset unless
the benefits are crystal clear. “Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei”
4. HBRC has committed about $3 million to investigating the feasibility of a storage dam on a tributary of the Ngaruroro River. At the same time, an effort is underway to revive construction of a ‘new’ Ruataniwha Dam in CHB. Do you support either initiative? Would you support HBRC Council putting ratepayer funds into the construction or future operation of either dam?
Given the $600 million already needed for flood control, we need to ask what
voters believe is the real priority – safety, warning systems and flood protection,
or more money into water storage when the rain barely stops these days. Who
truly benefits, and who pays? Any decision must focus on community safety and
long-term environmental sustainability.
5. Do you believe HBRC is doing enough to develop potential reductions in the
region’s water demand? What possibilities of this sort do you see?
If you over-allocate wai, you create issues of supply and demand. What I find
concerning is that ratepayers are asked to restrict their use in summer. The
priority should be water health and protection of the source itself. If we don’t look
after this taonga, it will be depleted – and you cannot replace it once it’s gone.
6. Do you believe HBRC is doing too much or too little with respect to adapting
and/or mitigating climate change impacts in the region?
We need to seriously address the elephant in the room – carbon emissions and
the national issue driven largely by agricultural impacts. HBRC must be bold in
advocating for true emissions reductions, supporting land use change, and
building genuine climate resilience in partnership with local communities.
7. Do you personally support retaining Māori seats at your council table?
Absolutely – the seat I am standing for is Māui ki Te Raki. Recognition of tangata
whenua rights as affirmed in Te Tiriti benefits all our mokopuna, and especially
our taiao. A group of us campaigned in our community for submissions
supporting the establishment of Māori seats – and 89% of submissions were in
favour. Also, I want to mihi to all our Tangata Tiriti whānau who believe in an
equitable Aotearoa – tēnei te mihi.
8. Does Hawke’s Bay need five councils, or do you support amalgamation, in any
form?
Some decisions must stay local – for example, Civil Defence, where local
knowledge truly saves lives and as I personally experienced in two consecutive
floods in Wairoa – the community resilience and leadership is where it is really
at. As tangata whenua I saw first-hand how Marae stepped up to support, house
and feed the displaced. Any move toward amalgamation must be driven by the
people and reflect their voices and needs.
9. Would you support Councils appointing an independent “Hawke’s Bay Auditor
General” to monitor councils’ spending and programme performance?
I support greater accountability and independent oversight – ratepayers deserve
transparency and trust in how funds are being used. Whether it’s an Auditor
General or some other independent authority, the principle is to ensure wise use
of public funds. Times are tough – people want confidence that their money is
being well spent.
