Clockwise from top left: Judy Sherriff, Barry Quayle, Stu Kneebone, Clyde Graf
There will be at least one new Waikato King Country representative on the regional council when votes are counted in the local body elections.
Stu Kneebone’s constituency colleague, Andrew MacPherson, was not among the nominees when the door closed at noon last Friday.
MacPherson’s absence from the list of nominees at the end of last week was noted by Hamilton constituency councillor Barry Quayle – the current council chairman.
Quayle made a late decision to switch from the Hamilton to the Waikato King Country constituency – a move which appears sensible given he is planning to move into the constituency.
There are four contenders for the two seats.
Former chairman Russ Rimmington’s anti-Three Waters ticket is represented by Clyde Graf. Graf, a former regional councillor, has a colourful background and is strongly opposed to the use of 1080.
The fourth contender is company director and long-time Waikato resident Judy Sherriff.
MacPherson told The News his decision not to stand again was related to personal issues that he did not plan to share – but he was enthusiastic about the quality of candidates and the council itself.
“I’ve enjoyed my term, I’ve tried hard to serve and really deliver on my promises and I think I have added value,” he said.
The council was facing a deluge of regulatory changes but had skilled professional staff.
“The building blocks are in place,” he said.
Today Country Life presents the list of candidates for the regional council.
Hamilton (4 seats)
Chris Hughes, Russ Rimmington, Bruce Clarkson, Jennifer Nickel, Meshweyla Macdonald, Angela Strange,
Ngā Hau e Wha (1)
Tipa Mahuta (elected unopposed)
Nga Tai e Kuta (1)
Kataraina Hodge (elected unopposed)
Taupō –Rotorua (1)
Simone Stevenson, Mich’eal Downard
Thames Coromandel (1)
Walter Maher, Dennis Tegg,
Waihou (2)
David Waine, Justus Katzur, Anita Goodman, Glen Dunbar-Smith, Anaru Adams, Robert Cookson, Chris Van der Aa, Philip Sherwood,
Waikato (2 seats)
Pamela Storey, Jennifer Hayman, Fred Lichtwark, Noel Smith
