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?

Yes we need to keep our fertile lands free of development.Our economy relies heavily on horticulture, food production.

2. HDC plans to spend $80 million over the next three years to improve water infrastructure? Is this appropriate and who should pay?

Water infrastructure is councils core business.

3. Name 2-3 specific HDC projects, policies or spends over the past three years with which you personally disagree.

I wonder whether we should have spent 8 million on the show grounds. We lost money buying the church beside the municipal.

4. Should residential water metering be introduced in the Hastings District?

Yes I think water meters should be introduced. When people are billed based on how much water they use, they tend to use less. People who use less dont subsidise those who use more.

5. Do you believe councils’ rates should be ‘capped’ by legislation?

If council rates are able to be capped I think they should. Helps prevent sharp increases in household expenses, especially for low – income and fixed – income residents.

6. Do you personally support retaining Māori seats at your council table?

Maori wards ensure Maori always have a voice at the decision making table. Dont fear them embrace them they will make you prouid Aotearoa. Lets lead the way globally.

7. Does Hawke’s Bay need five councils, or do you support amalgamation, in any form?

Amalgamation would give us a stronger regional voice. Would save a great deal of duplicate costs. I think services should be shared.

8. Would you support Councils appointing an independent “Hawke’s Bay Auditor General” to monitor councils’ spending and programme performance?

Not quite sure about this one. It could create greater public trust? The set up could be expensive.