1. NCC plans to spend $701 million through to 2034 to improve water infrastructure. Is this appropriate and who should pay?
Spending $701 million to upgrade our water infrastructure is a big but necessary investment. Napier’s local waters are generally well managed, but with stronger regulatory standards introduced after Havelock North, we must keep up to ensure safety and compliance. There’s an element of user pays involved, and legislative requirements around borrowing mean we must be responsible with debt. Napier is in a strong position with one of the best balance sheets in the region, which supports this spend. That said, we shouldn’t rely on rates alone. The Productivity Commission recommends exploring alternative funding sources for local government, and I agree — we need to share costs fairly, attract investment, and ease pressure on ratepayers. It’s about balancing what’s needed now with what’s fair for everyone.
2. Does Napier need a new aquatic centre? If so, where?
Yes, Napier needs a new aquatic centre — one that’s truly fit for purpose and serves our community well into the future. Our current pool, even after extensive repairs, has about eight years left. This is a complex and sometimes polarising issue, with challenging ground and asset conditions. That’s why I fully support the Citizens’ Assembly process. This group of 40 informed community members will carefully weigh all the facts and options, and importantly, they will recommend the best location for the new facility. It’s the most transparent, fair, and community-driven way to decide something this important. We need to listen, get the details right, and deliver a solution that meets Napier’s long-term needs.
3. Do you support NCC continuing to dump partially treated wastewater into Hawke Bay?
Napier currently uses a biological trickling filter (BTF) system that provides secondary treatment of wastewater, including milliscreening before the BTF process. Our Awatoto wastewater treatment plant complies fully with the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council resource consent conditions.
I support gradually adding tertiary treatment to the facility, as was planned when it was originally built. To prepare for this, I’ve also led the designation of adjoining land for additional wastewater storage, giving us extra capacity and flexibility to upgrade treatment options over time. While we currently discharge treated wastewater into Hawke Bay within compliance, I believe ongoing investment and improvements are essential to protect our environment for the future. We are currently investing in an upgraded outfall which will improve the integrity of the discharge
4. Name 2-3 specific NCC projects, policies or spends over the past three years with which you personally disagree.
As a senior councillor, I’ve focused on core infrastructure – water, stormwater, wastewater and roads – as the city’s top priority. I voted against the proposed $28 million aquarium upgrade being included for consultation, because I believe the facility either needs minor investment or a complete rethink, not a half-step. I’ve also questioned some smaller spends where the community benefit wasn’t clear.
5. Do you support building homes in these two areas – Riverbend Road, Ahuriri Station?
I support growing Napier, but it must be done smart. Riverbend has real potential if we solve the flooding and infrastructure issues properly. Ahuriri Station also raises concerns – it’s isolated, costly to service, and needs careful planning. I’ll be looking to the District Plan process, infrastructure planning, and community feedback to guide these decisions.
6. Should residential water metering be introduced in Napier?
Water metering is likely to come as part of a wider regional model, and may eventually be a legislative or policy requirement of the new water organisation. It brings benefits like leak detection, fairer charging, and better planning for growth. For low-use households, costs would be small. I support community consultation on this — it’s one of several tools we may need to manage water sustainably over time
7. Do you personally support retaining Māori seats at your council table?
I believe in the sanctity of the vote and respect the democratic process — I won’t tell anyone how to vote. I’ve worked well with all our councillors and support the community’s right to decide. I believe the voting system should be consistent with Central Government. My votes at Council have reflected that position.
8. Do you believe councils’ rates should be ‘capped’ by legislation?
I do not support legislating a rates cap. While affordability matters, capping rates is a blunt tool with real downsides. International research — including in Australia and the UK — shows caps often undermine service delivery, reduce infrastructure investment, and compromise council financial sustainability. Local Government NZ notes that democratic decision-making and transparent budgeting are far more effective than imposed limits. Napier already has the third-lowest residential rates in the country, while still delivering on major infrastructure investments — that shows strong financial stewardship. Our balance sheet is one of the strongest in the region, which allows us to borrow sensibly and plan long-term without unfair spikes on ratepayers.
I support exploring other funding tools — as recommended by the Productivity Commission — like targeted user fees, better financing models, and partnerships with central government. Transparency and community involvement remain key.
9. Does Hawke’s Bay need five councils, or do you support amalgamation, in any form?
I don’t support amalgamation at this time. While it may be considered in the future, right now the focus should be on expanding shared services where they make sense and deliver value. Napier is in a strong financial position — one of the best in the region — and any future structural change would need to ensure those finances are ring-fenced and protected. Local identity and accountability also matter, and I believe decisions should always be made close to the communities they affect.
10. Would you support Councils appointing an independent “Hawke’s Bay Auditor General” to monitor councils’ spending and programme performance?
No — this would add unnecessary cost and bureaucracy. Accountability is already a core function of local government, and our books are open to the public. At Napier City Council, 96.1% of current spending aligns with the Government’s draft ‘core services’ guidelines, and we’re proud of that focus. We also have an independent Audit & Risk Committee with an external chair to provide oversight and give ratepayers confidence. Napier is already doing the job well — let’s not add layers that won’t deliver value.
