Facing up

Susan O’Regan new mayor, in her office on Tuesday.

Susan O’Regan thought she knew what was in the Waipā mayor’s office – after all she has been in there many times in the past few years catching up with Jim Mylchreest.

But when she opened one of the doors on Monday morning – 43 hours after she learned she had won the mayoralty and become Waipā’s first female mayor – she discovered she had her own bathroom.

And then behind another door she found she had a kitchenette.

Susan O’Regan

Both were installed when John Hewitt was mayor back in 1995. The upgrades done for the Te Miro farmer are the last staff can recall in the office for more than 25 years.

So, while it is not an immediate priority for O’Regan to put her stamp on the office in the same way she intends to do on the district, you get the feeling the next time The News gets an invite, things will look different.

The News’ senior writer Mary Anne Gill captured this photo of the new mayor on Tuesday, when O’Regan was midway through gruelling meetings with her councillors – and also with her family and friends at her Roto-o-Rangi farm on Saturday when the news came through of her victory.

See: O’Regan’s win was down to business

Mayor Susan O’Regan discusses future plans with councillor Marcus Gower. Photo: Mary Anne Gill

More Recent News

It’s double magic

International magician Zero Xiao presented a fun and interactive magic show for children and the young at heart during the Cambridge Autumn Festival in The Woolshed at Te Awa Lifecare Village on Sunday. Meanwhile, three…

Shakespeare is coming to town…

Te Awamutu College will host the Waikato Regional Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand University of Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival on April 5. It is  the second time the college has hosted the festival as…

Learning about the fallen 58

Genealogists are keen to hear from anyone able to boost research around the 58 fallen World War One soldiers whose names are listed on the cenotaph at Te Awamutu’s Anzac Green. The call comes after…

Te Ara Wai on hold

About $1 million for the Waipā museum project – Te Ara Wai – could be redirected to the district council’s water projects. The $33 million museum was officially put on hold this week by Waipā…