BayBuzz has received responses from four of the five candidates standing for mayor of Hastings. No response was received from Darrin Wilson, who is also standing for a council seat representing the Heretaunga/Havelock North ward.

Here are the eight questions we put to HDC candidates:

  1. HDC has struggled over allocating land to housing/industrial development versus protecting productive soils in the district. Do you believe the right decisions are being made?
  2. HDC plans to spend $80 million over the next three years to improve water infrastructure? Is this appropriate and who should pay?
  3. Name 2-3 specific HDC projects, policies or spends over the past three years with which you personally disagree.
  4. Should residential water metering be introduced in the Hastings District?
  5. Do you believe councils’ rates should be ‘capped’ by legislation?
  6. Do you personally support retaining Māori seats at your council table?
  7. Does Hawke’s Bay need five councils, or do you support amalgamation, in any form?
  8. Would you support Councils appointing an independent “Hawke’s Bay Auditor General” to monitor councils’ spending and programme performance?

The candidates’ full responses are reported in this PDF, grouped by question so you can readily compare the candidates. 

Each candidate also has a ‘page’ in the HDC section of Election Central on the BayBuzz website, so you can find each person’s complete response there as well. 

To preview some differences amongst these candidates:

  1. Only Gibson endorses a legislated rates cap … with enthusiasm. Buddo and Harvey caution about the dangers in capping. Only Schollum, commenting on those dangers, flatly opposes.
  2. Harvey and Gibson support amalgamation. Buddo says ‘we don’t need five councils’, but not his priority. Schollum waffles.
  3. Buddo and Harvey support water meters. Gibson and Schollum say maybe, sometime.
  4. Gibson and Buddo personally oppose Maori wards. Harvey and Schollum personally support.
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22 Comments

  1. Gibson is the best choice for HDC. Schollum is all about the money and telling us we can’t call her what she clearly is. Harvey is full of hot air and Buddo, while has some good comments still wants to spend spend spend. Vote well, citizens of HDC.

  2. Personally, Gibson or Wilson are the best choice for HDC. They are both personable, honest, transparent and want to get back to basics rather than spend into oblivion. Good luck, guys.

    1. Not sure about Wilson, Ask Wilson if he has ever led a team of people in a business , what governance experience he has? Apart from bike racing and travelling around hte world what fiscal and business acumen does he have

  3. All 5 canditates love our District, we just have different ideas and priorities about whats most important for residents going forward.

    Instagram: Steve_4Mayor
    Just one comment on water meters. We tried in Manawatu, but the cost was so prohibitive that any savings for low users would have been eaten up on servicing the loan to get water meters. But the biggest issue is leaky pipes apparently 30% current wastage.

  5. I don’t understand the consequences of Maori wards, as I suspect many others don’t. Why can’t we vote on a trial period on them, say 2 electoral terms, see how it goes and then vote again on them.

    1. I would like better understanding of the benefits of Māori wards.
      I am not opposed to them, not for, as I don’t know enough to have a position.
      Does anyone?

      1. It’s not unusual for people to feel unsure as many voters don’t have a settled view. The decision ultimately balances two principles:
        Representation and inclusion (ensuring Māori voices are present).
        Equality and unity (everyone voting the same way).
        Both values are important, which is why communities across New Zealand are still debating the best approach.

  6. Who is courageous enough to stand up against the poisoning of our water with the industrial waste HFSA (fluoridation)? It is a proven neurotoxin to children, and for sensitive people, it may cause thyroid, kidney, and bone disturbance and pain.

  7. I would like to know how Anna Lorck will be supporting Damon Harvey’s campaign. Is she campaign manager?
    Also in regards to this, is he affiliated to any party with this candidacy?

    1. Thanks for asking “Allus” – and if you’re happy to be transparent – would be good for you to reach out with your full name and we can have a chat. my number is 021 2886 772
      But since you’ve asked – my wife and I have just made a major investment into the CBD and she is driving that business. Like when she was running to represent the people and the place she loves, she is there offering support – like you would expect from any partner. As for affiliations – my only affiliation is to HASTINGS. I supported my wife when she was running to be an MP and I have strong relationships across most of the main political parties.
      Look forward to catching up with you Allus on the campaign trail.

  8. Steve Gibson will be getting my vote it takes guts to go and knock on people doors and introduce yourself that’s a big tick for me

    1. Thanks Richard.
      I just want to go through every role Council plays, divide them into needs and wants and cut the latter.
      This will being about real savings to ratepayers and cut debt without cutting core infrastructure and services.

  9. It’s going to be interesting , Wilson couldn’t be bothered .
    Macus wants small settlement to take the brunt and also the huge costs of having satellite towns infrastructure, or wants developers to fund infrastructure, which will drive up costs .
    Steve’s only concern if seen is about pool inspections costs .

    2. Pools are only 1 example of poor compliance costs. We dont inspect peoples deck rails every 3 years to ensure they are still 900mm high. So why do we check pools after compliance has been issued!
      Kids can fall off high decks and die, just like they can drown in pools.
      Another example is why do we need 6 staff and 3 trucks to fix a water leak in a dead end road! When 1 or 2 people could achieve the same result in the same length of time at a tird of the cost!
      This is why rates and debt is high. Over the top risk averse rules by councils and not enough common sense allowed to be used by contractors and archaic “preferred council contractors” allowed to act as cartels ripping off residents and ratepayers with excessive costs.

  10. Darrin, doesn’t surprise in the slightest, Baybuzz has allegiances to the current HDC and NCC Councils, relying heavily on their ‘charity’. However, most people realise the outgoing Sandra is a joke and will be looking for change. Same with Kirsten. Good luck to you and Steve, the best of the bunch. Tom, if you are truly objective, print Darrin’s answers by Monday.

  11. Māori Wards and Why I Am Against Them

    The Treaty of Waitangi is part of our history, and it should be respected as such. It was signed in 1840 to bring order to a divided land, to protect property rights, and to establish British law in New Zealand. Like many treaties in history, it has been honoured at times and broken at others, and that is something we must acknowledge.

    But the real question today is this: do we continue to divide ourselves by race, or do we come together as one people? In Britain, over nearly 2,000 years, they were invaded and colonised by Romans, Saxons, Vikings, and Normans. Treaties were made, broken, and forgotten. Yet out of that history, the people stopped identifying as tribes and became one nation. That’s how they built strength, unity, and prosperity.

    Māori wards take us in the wrong direction. They divide us by race instead of uniting us as equals. I believe New Zealand must follow the same path Britain did: respect our history, but build our future on equality. One law for all, one people, working together to tackle the challenges ahead.

  12. Forced Fluoridation of our water seems too contentious an issue ? Sad to see that the WEF really does control local govt?

  13. Re Maori Wards – 800 years of Maori occupation and Crown guaranteed tino Rangatiratanga in 1840 counts for alot. The Crown negotiated each others Rights and Obligations with the Rangatira. They should be at the Table to exercise their Rangatiratanga over their environment, natural resources and Communities as guaranteed

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