Te Awamutu Kihikihi Ward
Marcus Gower – 2025
Marcus Gower – Te Awamutu-Kihihiki Ward
1. Operational Deficits and Borrowing (maximum 100 words)
Waipā is currently running operational deficits over three years, which reduces the annual rates increase by around 4%. To fund this gap, the council is borrowing an average of $8 million per year.
a. Were you aware of this funding strategy?
b. Do you agree with the approach of borrowing to fund operational shortfalls as prudent rather than raising rates to fully fund current operations? Why or why not?
Yes, I was aware of this strategy. While I appreciate the goal of easing the immediate rates burden, I don’t believe borrowing for operational shortfalls is a prudent long-term solution.
This practice pushes today’s running costs onto tomorrow’s ratepayers, with interest added. True fiscal responsibility means paying for day-to-day expenses from our current income, much like a household budget. My focus is on delivering core services as efficiently as possible and ensuring we live within our means, balancing affordability today with sustainable financial stewardship for the future of our district.
2. Ahu Ake – Waipā Community Spatial Plan (maximum 100 words)
The council has adopted the “Ahu Ake – Waipā Community Spatial Plan” as a long-term vision to guide growth and infrastructure planning.
a. Do you support the direction and priorities set out in Ahu Ake?
b. Given that the plan proposes a number of costly studies how would you ensure that it remains relevant, affordable, and aligned with community needs over time?
Yes, I fully support the vision and community-led priorities of Ahu Ake. It is our district’s vital 30-year blueprint.
To keep it affordable and relevant, the key is rigorous prioritisation and fiscal discipline. A vision is not a blank cheque. Given the current financial pressures that have already forced Council to defer cornerstone projects, we must continue to make pragmatic decisions. My focus will be on a staged implementation, prioritising essential infrastructure first and actively seeking external funding to reduce the direct burden on our ratepayers.
3. Cambridge Connections (maximum 100 words)
The Cambridge Connections project reset proposes a transport network realignment and new infrastructure development around Cambridge, with potential long-term cost across the district and land use implications as well as extensive consultation.
a. Do you support the scale and scope of the Cambridge Connections project as currently proposed?
b. How should costs and impacts be managed to ensure fairness to ratepayers and affected communities?
As a Te Awamutu-Kihikihi representative, I support the need for a long-term transport plan for Cambridge, but I have serious concerns about the project’s proposed scale and its potential cost to the entire district.
To ensure fairness, this project cannot be funded solely by general rates. Costs must be managed by maximising development contributions—so that growth pays for growth—and aggressively seeking central government funding. Crucially, this investment in Cambridge must not come at the expense of delaying essential roading maintenance and infrastructure projects in Te Awamutu, Pirongia, and our other communities.
4. Council Expenditure and Core Services (maximum 100 words)
a. In your view, is Waipā District Council currently limiting its spending to basic or essential services?
b. If elected, would you support a review of current expenditure with a view to reducing non-essential costs and/or staffing levels?
While Council has already deferred large “cornerstone” projects due to financial pressure, I believe there’s always room to focus more tightly on core services.
Yes, I absolutely support a thorough expenditure review. As a business owner, my priority is to find efficiencies and ensure we get maximum value for every ratepayer dollar. This review wouldn’t be about cutting for cutting’s sake, but about ensuring our organisation is lean, effective, and structured to deliver the essential services our community relies on before we fund the “nice-to-haves.”
5. Urban Intensification and Tier 1 Status (maximum 50 words)
Waipā must now enable greater housing intensification and density under new rules.
What principles should guide where and how higher-density housing is developed?
My guiding principle is simple: infrastructure must come first. Higher-density housing should only be enabled where our roads, water, and community facilities can support it. This approach ensures we manage growth responsibly, protecting the unique character of our established neighbourhoods and preventing excessive strain on existing services.
6. Māori Ward Representation (maximum 50 words)
Waipā established a Māori ward to enhance Māori representation at the council table.
Do you support the continuation of the Māori ward beyond the current term?
Yes, I fully support continuing the Māori ward. Having a guaranteed Māori voice at the decision-making table is essential for our partnership under Te Tiriti and for making inclusive decisions. This dedicated representation ensures a vital perspective is heard, enriching our discussions and leading to better outcomes for the entire Waipā district.
7. Community Boards (maximum 50 words)
Do you believe community boards effectively represent community views and provide valuable advice to council? Would you support any changes to their role or powers?
Yes, when focused and well-run, community boards are a vital grassroots link between residents and Council. I support changes that empower our board with more autonomy and a dedicated budget for small-scale local projects, allowing them to deliver tangible results for Te Awamutu and Kihikihi.
8. Te Ara Wai (maximum 50 words)
What do you think the council should do with the old Bunnings building in Te Awamutu, which it bought to house Te Ara Wai Museum?
With the Te Ara Wai project currently unfunded by Council, the building must not sit empty and cost ratepayers money. My priority is to secure a commercial tenant for the site immediately. This ensures the building generates income, covering its costs and contributing to council revenue.
9. Future of Lake Karāpiro Domain (maximum 50 words)
Lake Karāpiro Domain is often referred to as Waipā’s “jewel in the crown”. The site is currently being reviewed under the Reserves Act 1977, and future options may include increased commercial development such as hotel or motel accommodation.
Hamilton City Council now charges outsiders to visit the Gardens, should Waipā do something similar at Karāpiro?
Do you support further commercial development at Lake Karāpiro Domain and/or a visitors’ levy?
I support appropriate commercial development, such as accommodation, if it enhances the Domain and generates revenue to reduce the ratepayer burden. However, I do not support a general visitor levy. Karāpiro is a community asset for everyone; we should encourage its use, not charge for entry.
10. Finally, what is your vision for the Waipā district? (maximum 250 words)
My vision is for a Waipā that balances sensible growth with the protection of what makes our district special. I want to see our towns, especially Te Awamutu and Kihikihi, thrive as awesome places to live, where new development is supported by robust infrastructure that comes first. We must manage growth, not let it manage us.
Protecting our natural heritage is paramount. I am a huge supporter of the incredible work at Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari and vital restoration projects like Taiea te Taiao ecological corridor to Pirongia. Restoring the health of our precious peat lakes, like Ngā Roto, is a legacy we must leave for future generations. These environmental treasures are central to our identity and wellbeing.
While I support enhancing our communities with projects like the Pirongia and Kihikihi cycleways or a new Cambridge library, we must be pragmatic. Given the current financial pressures, these are aspirations we can work towards, but not at the expense of core services or unsustainable rates rises. My commitment is to provide experienced, fiscally responsible leadership that champions our local communities, protects our environment, and ensures Waipā remains the ‘Home of Champions’ for generations to come.
