When we talk about government, people often think of Wellington: Parliament, parties, and politicians trading blows across ideological lines. But local government is different. In Napier and across Hawke’s Bay, councillors do not sit in parties. We live and work every day among the people we represent, which makes decisions personal, pragmatic, and often hard-won through compromise.

Compromise in local government is not weakness. It is the only way to get things done. Councillors must balance diverse views because our community is not one voice. It is homeowners in Bay View worried about flood resilience. It is small business owners in Emerson Street and our town centres asking for vibrancy. It is sports clubs at Park Island needing fields, and it is whānau in Maraenui calling for safe spaces and recreation. Councillors grab coffees at the same cafés and watch the same kids’ games, so decisions are up close and real.

Local government is the closest form of government to the people. International research shows that decisions made closer to communities are more trusted and effective. The Local Government Commission describes councils as “the most accessible level of government,” serving 5 million New Zealanders across 78 councils, made up of 67 territorial authorities and 11 regional councils. Together, those councils manage more than $200 billion in public assets, from water and transport infrastructure to parks, libraries, and aquatic centres. Rates make up around 60 percent of council revenue nationwide, and in total, councils collectively account for about 10 percent of all taxation in New Zealand.

Here in Hawke’s Bay, our challenges are well known. Our population has grown to more than 175,000, up over 5 percent since 2018. That growth brings demand for more housing, stronger transport links, and upgraded water systems. Cyclone Gabrielle highlighted both the scale of risk we face and the need for major investment in infrastructure. In Napier alone, we have planned more than $700 million over the next 30 years for water upgrades. These are not abstract debates; they are about the pipes, pavements, potholes, and playgrounds that shape daily life.

At the same time, households are under pressure. The cost of living is high, mortgage rates have bitten, and rates bills keep rising. People want assurance that their money is being used wisely. That is fair and necessary, and I have been part of more conversations about efficiencies and wasteful spending than I can count. To do things better, you have to want to, and that is a key part of the culture of our council. But stripping councils of flexibility will not solve the problem. Central government’s proposed Local Government (System Improvements) Bill would remove the requirement for councils to consider the four wellbeings: social, economic, environmental, and cultural. It would instead narrow our mandate to“core services.” Logically, this points to more compliance and less discretion.

Conversations about efficiencies and reducing “wasteful spending” are also embedded into our work. But what is often missed in this debate is that councils like Napier already spend the overwhelming majority of their budgets on core services. In our case, 96.1 percent of the current allocation is directed to the very things the government highlights: water, transport, waste, community facilities, and essential infrastructure. Our ten-year plan, which sets out expenditure for the decade ahead, continues to prioritise these services. The suggestion that local councils are straying far beyond their remit simply does not reflect the numbers on the page.

The danger is obvious. Councils risk becoming compliance machines, rather than places where local voices shape local solutions. And yet, the evidence is clear: decisions made closer to the people are better. Look at how quickly local marae mobilised after Cyclone Gabrielle, or how council and community partnerships are leveraging investment across Hawke’s Bay. These solutions came from the ground up, not the top down.

That is why this election matters. If we do not value local democracy, it will continue to be narrowed from above. But by voting, you ensure your voice is still in the room. You decide who represents you at the council table, who will balance affordability with resilience, and who will stand up for Napier and Hawke’s Bay when the pressure from Wellington grows.

This election is not just about filling seats. It is about protecting the strength of local democracy. It is about keeping decisions close to the people. And it is about making sure our region’s future is shaped by us, together.

So please, take the time to vote and encourage others to do the same. Vote for the people you trust to carry your voice and fight for our region. Hawke’s Bay will be stronger for it.