1. Do you support the flood diversion scheme for North Clyde recommended by Crown Manager Lawrence Yule, the Regional Council and current Wairoa Council?
Cyclone Gabrielle struck four generations of my whãnau — my grandparents, my parents, myself, and my daughter. That trauma is still with us, living every day on our whenua beside our awa. I stand for a future where no generation of whanau, hapu, or iwi has to face what we did. We deserve protection, resilience, and leadership that keeps our people safe.”
2. Name 2-3 specific WDC projects, policies or spends over the past three years with which you personally disagree.
The resurfacing and upgrade of the Standring Park courts is a project I supported 100%. Since the upgrade, public use has grown significantly, with whãnau sports days, netball and basketball competitions, pickleball, and tamariki learning to ride scooters or bikes. However, I find it difficult to understand how the allocated funds were applied, given that a plan was jointly created by Wairoa Netball and Wairoa District Council. From what l observe, the plan no longer seems in action, despite the high level of community use.
3. What Council spending or other initiatives would you support to improve Wairoa’s economic well-being?
No Response
4. Unlike Napier, Hastings and CHB Councils (who are forming a joint water entity), Wairoa Council has decided to ‘go it alone’ with respect to delivering water services. Do you agree?
No Response
5. Most WDC debt relates to the need to maintain and improve its water assets, with significant improvement required. Should WDC step up its borrowing to make these improvements?
No Response
6. WDC’s current policy aims to limit rate increases to 5%. But this assumed WDC joined a regional water services entity, off-loading current debt and borrowing costs, which it has now declined to do. Do you believe WDC rate increases can be kept to 5%? How?
No Response
7. Do you believe councils’ rates should be ‘capped’ by legislation?
| believe Wairoa residents must be actively involved in decisions that affect their rates. Whether or not rates are capped, quality community engagement is essential. People need to understand the situation, the reasons for any changes, and their impact. Council decisions should include the voices of whãnau and businesses, not simply inform them after the fact. True participation ensures our community shapes the future it wants, together.
8. Does Hawke’s Bay need five councils, or do you support amalgamation, in any form?
For Wairoa, you must be from Wairoa to truly understand our uniqueness and challenges. As a smaller community, our voice, needs, and priorities risk being overshadowed within a larger regional structure. I support growth and change, but not if it compromises Wairoa’s mana motuhake.
9. Would you support Councils appointing an independent “Hawke’s Bay Auditor General” to monitor councils’ spending and programme performance?
I support strong transparency and accountability when speaking for our people.
Appointing an independent “Hawke’s Bay Auditor General” could help ensure councils manage public funds responsibly and maintain community trust, reducing mistrust and disconnection. However, I acknowledge this comes with additional costs to ratepayers, so any proposal must balance oversight with affordability. The priority should always be open, honest reporting and genuine engagement with our community in decisions that affect them.
