Te Awamutu-Kihikihi Ward
Lyn Hunt – 2025
Lyn Hunt – Te Awamutu-Kihikihi 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?
I do not agree with the approach of borrowing to pay operational costs. This approach shows poor financial management by the Council. The council needs to live within its means, just as householders and businesses do. Savings should be found before borrowing more money. Ratepayers are already burdened with the high WDC rates.
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?
I do not support the direction and priorities as set out in Ahu Ake to guide growth and infrastructure planning. WDC is already heavily in debt, and to spend $1.8 million on consultants is not financially prudent in the current environment.
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?
Waipa is a rural delivery service district, and I support the residents being able to move freely around the district.
b. How should costs and impacts be managed to ensure fairness to ratepayers and affected communities?
If you are supporting residents to move freely in the district, there should be minimal cost to the residents.
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?
Council is definitely not limiting its spending to basic or essential services. For example, more than $2 million was recently spent on a playground in Cambridge. And there is also a proliferation of speed bumps. Both non-essential.
b. If elected, would you support a review of current expenditure with a view to reducing non-essential costs and/or staffing levels?
I would support a review of current expenditure. Staffing also needs to be looked at as we seem to be relying a lot on external consultants. We need to focus on basic services and reduce non-essential costs.
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?
Some infill is reasonable; however, the existing infrastructure must be able to support it. Town character and green spaces must be respected. New subdivisions should be designed for further intensification.
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?
There is a binding referendum being held on this issue at the election. The voters will decide on the outcome.
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?
Community boards need to be strengthened as they are an important link in giving feedback from the community to the council.
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?
The Bunnings building should be sold. The building is not being used and WDC is paying for the insurance and the lease of the land the building sits on, as well as the cost of borrowing the money for the building.
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 some commercial development at the Karapiro domain. However, the council should not do it directly, but provide land leases with covenants to protect community interests. A visitor’s levy should be charged at major events to offset costs.
10. Finally, what is your vision for the Waipā district? (maximum 250 words)
My vision for Waipa is a district that protects our community and environment whilst balancing growth.
We need a community where we have minimal congestion on our roads and our lakes/rivers are clean. Strong infrastructure planning is critical. Growth should not outpace infrastructure.
We need to have a council that focuses on delivering the core services of roads, water, waste and parks while ensuring that ratepayers’ money is spent wisely. We need a cost effective way of providing good core services without having continual excessive rate increases.
I want Waipa to be a place where core services are done well, and residents and businesses are thriving.
