Hawke’s Bay elections: Two incumbent councillors to step down, mayors confirm bids

Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise and CHB Mayor Alex Walker have both confirmed they will be standing for mayor.

Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said she was undecided at this stage and Wairoa Mayor Craig Little was “seriously considering standing for the Wairoa mayoralty”.

The only other potential contender for a mayoralty to publicly state an interest so far is Hastings councillor Damon Harvey, who says he is keen to restand as a councillor “while also strongly considering the mayoralty”.

“It’s a big year, with more rate rises and trying to get council debt under control,” he said.

Little said the next few years were pivotal for Wairoa.

“Two flood events within 18 months of each other have placed tremendous pressure on our district, and it is imperative that our future work and planning supports the recovery, resilience and growth of Wairoa.

“Now is a time for experience and strong leadership, particularly as we work through the enormity of the flood mitigation project.”

Hazlehurst said Heretaunga Hastings had a big year ahead with the cyclone recovery and rebuild.

“We are focused on infrastructure delivery, specifically the reconnection of our rural communities and building water infrastructure to enable new affordable homes for Flaxmere.

“Council’s focus for the first quarter will be community consultation around delivery models for Local Water Done Well,” she said.

“We will continue to work with our development community to revitalise our CBD and at the same time complete the Regional Archive and Storage Centre.

“We will be working with our regional partners and Government on our Regional Deal which will include water certainty and regional housing.

“There is a lot to do.

“I will make my decision about whether I restand for the Hastings mayoralty in the middle of the year,” Hazlehurst said.

Wise will be standing for her third term as Napier mayor while Walker is up for her fourth term in CHB.

Wise said Napier had come too far to go backwards now.

“I want to deliver on ratepayers’ investment in core services; water, roading and quality long-term infrastructure; and make sure the city’s essential projects are completed in a financially sustainable way,” she said.

“This is a time for stability, we cannot afford to lose momentum.

“I have a deep understanding of the upcoming reforms from central government and strong relationships in our community.

“I have been able to tackle the challenges facing our city head-on because of the relationships that have been built, and those relationships have sustained our shared focus on the future through difficult times.

“I am restanding to deliver on the progress we have made together.”

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council chairwoman Hinewai Ormsby said at this stage she intends to restand for council and, if elected, for chairperson.

Central Hawke’s Bay councillor Gerard Minehan said he found himself at a crossroads.

“While I am passionate about continuing to serve our community, my wife’s health, treatment and wellbeing of my family are my top priority at this time,” he said.

“This is not an easy decision, and I am taking the time to carefully weigh up my responsibilities to both my family and our local community. A final decision will be made closer to this year’s October local council elections.”

HBRC councillor Neil Kirton said he would be standing for re-election, but was yet to decide which council he would stand for this time.

There was no response to Local Democracy emails from 15 councillors.

Hastings District Council

Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst: Undecided

Deputy Mayor Tania Kerr: Undecided

Councillors

Marcus Buddo: Yes

Alwyn Corban: Yes

Michael Fowler: Yes

Damon Harvey: Yes (considering mayoralty)

Hana Montaperto-Hendry: Yes

Kevin Watkins: Yes (at this stage)

Heather Te Au-Skipworth: Yes

Simon Nixon: Undecided

Malcolm Dixon: Undecided

Wendy Schollum: Too early to say

Ana Apatu, Henry Heke, Kellie Jessup and Eileen Lawson: No response

Napier City Council:

Mayor Kirsten Wise: Yes

Deputy Mayor Annette Brosnan: Undecided

Councillors

Hayley Browne: Yes

Keith Price: Yes

Juliet Greig: Yes

Greg Mawson: Yes

Richard McGrath: Yes

Nigel Simpson: Yes

Graeme Taylor: Yes

Rhonda Chrystal: Yes (at this stage)

Sally Crown: Yes (at this stage)

Chad Tareha: Undecided

Maxine Boag: No

Central Hawke’s Bay District Council

Mayor Alex Walker: Yes

Deputy Mayor Kelly Annand: Yes

Councillors

Kate Taylor: Yes

Jerry Greer: Undecided

Gerard Minehan: Undecided

Pip Burne: Undecided

Tim Aitken: No

Brent Muggeridge and Exham Wichman: No response

Wairoa District Council

Mayor: Craig Little: Strongly considering

Deputy Mayor: Denise Eaglesome-Karekare: No response

Councillors: Jeremy Harker, Roz Thomas, Benita Cairns, Melissa Kaimoana and Chaans Tumataroa-Clarke: No response

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council

Chair Hinewai Ormsby: Yes

Councillors

Jock Mackintosh: Yes

Sophie Siers: Yes

Jerf van Beek: Yes

Neil Kirton: Yes

Will Foley: Undecided

Xan Harding: Undecided

Di Roadley: Undecided

Thompson Hokianga, Charles Lambert and Martin Williams: No response

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.