1. CHB Council has just reviewed its spending plans for improving the district’s water infrastructure, deferring some projects considerably. Do you support this approach even if it delays important improvements?
I recognise the immense pressure facing our ratepayers, and the initial proposals for water infrastructure spending were clearly unaffordable for many families and businesses. A key responsibility of a council is to listen to its community, and the message from submitters was clear. As mayor, I would not support a plan that forces our residents to leave the district.
However, we must also be realistic. While I support the revised approach as a necessary measure to ease financial pressure, we cannot ignore the long-term risk. Deferring critical water projects is not a solution; it is a delay. We must use this time wisely to find smarter, more cost-effective ways to deliver this essential infrastructure. My commitment is to a common-sense approach that balances affordability today with the critical need for a resilient and healthy water network for the future. The conversation isn’t over; it’s just shifted, and we need to find a better path forward. And let’s not forget, there is the rest of the organisation to assess and ensure that efficiencies can always be improved.
2. Name 2-3 specific CHBDC projects, policies or spends over the past three years with which you personally disagree.
I believe a council’s core purpose is to enable its community and economy to prosper, not to create unnecessary barriers. I have three key areas of concern with recent council decisions:
The new District Plan: While a plan is necessary, the current one has introduced an excessive amount of new regulations and red tape. This adds a significant financial and administrative burden on our residents and businesses, at a time when they are already struggling with the cost of living. We must review these policies to ensure they are truly necessary and not just contributing to a cycle of extraction from our ratepayers without delivering proportional value.
The Representation Review: Given Central Hawke’s Bay’s population size and the ongoing regional conversations about amalgamation, I believe the decision to increase the number of councillors was a step in the wrong direction. A smaller, more efficient council would be better suited to our scale, saving costs, rewarding the remaining councillors better and ensuring we are agile and responsive. If we are to drive efficiencies and a positive culture, then it starts at the top.
Procurement Policy: It is incredibly frustrating to see local businesses lose out on contracts to out-of-town contractors. When profits and wages leave the district, our local economy suffers. While we must ensure value for money, a more robust ‘buy local’ policy should be a priority. We need to support the businesses that support our community and ensure our rate dollars circulate within the Central Hawke’s Bay economy.
3. Name 2-3 specific CHBDC projects, policies or spends over the past three years with which you personally disagree.
The Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme has a long and complex history. Given how much time has passed and how circumstances have changed, it would be irresponsible to support or oppose the project without an up-to-date, comprehensive business case. We need to see clear, current data on the project’s financial viability, its physical design, the projected water demand and the potential returns for our district. The key is a modern, transparent, and rigorous assessment. Once that business case is presented to the community, we can have a well- informed and meaningful debate on whether it is the right investment for Central Hawke’s Bay’s future.
4. CHB seems on its way to becoming Hawke’s Bay’s solar capital. Do you support that development?
I fully support the development of renewable energy projects in Central Hawke’s Bay, provided they are environmentally sound and, critically, economically viable. Our district is well-positioned to lead the way in solar energy, and such developments could bring significant benefits to our region including resilience around electricity. It aligns with a forward-looking, sustainable vision for our community. The key is to ensure these projects are developed in a way that respects our landscapes and provides tangible benefits to our residents.
5. Do you believe councils’ rates should be ‘capped’ by legislation?
The continued rate rises above the rate of inflation are simply not sustainable. Nor is the debt growth trajectory. Mathematically, this model will eventually outpace income growth, and we are already seeing the devastating effects on our families and businesses. While I am a strong advocate for disciplined financial management, a simple cap on rates could risk underfunding essential services and infrastructure.
Therefore, I support a rate-capping framework, with the crucial caveat of retaining the ability for the council to consult with the community on funding for significant capital projects that may require a rise above the cap. This comes though after all other avenues of efficiency gains and wastage elimination have been undertaken. The long-term goal must be to get into a cycle where we are consistently funding depreciation to smooth out the need for large, sudden capital injections. This will lead to a more predictable, affordable, and sustainable financial future for our
district.
6. Do you personally support retaining Māori seats at your council table?
The decision to establish Māori wards was made by majority vote of the current council, and the community will have the opportunity to have their say via a referendum. My role as a mayoral candidate is to focus on what is within my direct control and what is most pressing for the entire community. I believe the most critical challenge facing Central Hawke’s Bay is its financial viability and the cost-of-living crisis. My focus as mayor will be on bringing a common-sense approach to our financial troubles and ensuring the council’s core services and infrastructure are soundly managed for the benefit of all residents including Māori.
7. Does Hawke’s Bay need five councils, or do you support amalgamation, in any form?
Based on my six years of experience on the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, I believe that a regional approach to governance can work for certain issues. I would support the amalgamation of Napier and Hastings to create a more unified metropolitan authority. However, I am firmly opposed to the amalgamation of Central Hawke’s Bay into a larger super-city model.
Our district has its own distinct identity, its own unique challenges, and its own strong sense of community. We need to retain our local governance to ensure our voice is heard and our specific needs are met. We must collaborate with our neighbours and where I see a lot of improvement available to us, but we must also protect our local autonomy.
8. Would you support Councils appointing an independent “Hawke’s Bay Auditor General” to monitor councils’ spending and programme performance?
I support any initiative that increases transparency and accountability in local government. However, we must first assess whether an independent ‘Hawke’s Bay Auditor General’ would be a new layer of costly bureaucracy rather than a genuine solution.
I believe that true accountability starts with the council itself. As mayor, I would champion a culture of zero tolerance for wasteful spending, regardless of size, and ensure that our ratepayers’ money is treated with the utmost respect. We need to be the auditors of our own house, rather than relying solely on another external body.
