Council candidate Dean Taylor, Māori ward candidate Dale-Maree Morgan with community board candidates Ange Holt and John Kopa.
The common themes at meet the electoral candidates’ sessions in Kihikihi last week were rates, debt and transparency.
Waikato Regional Council candidate Liz Stolwyk, meeting chair Geoff Boxell and council candidate Ngaire Pocock. Photo: Jesse Wood
And one candidate cited major cycleway additions in the town as an example of a community ‘not being heard”.
Candidates for Waipā mayor, council, Māori ward and the Te Awamutu-Kihikihi community board spoke alongside those vying for Waikato Regional Council Waipā-King Country constituency seats.
The meeting was chaired by Geoff Boxell and organised by the Kihikihi Residents and Ratepayers group. Candidates had five minutes to share their platform.
Ahead of the meeting, residents were encouraged to submit concerns about local issues.
Prominent topics included State Highway 3 roading – particularly extending the 50kph zones – cycleways and the future of the historic Stockade Reserve.
Mayoral candidate Mike Pettit, council candidate Shane Walsh and Waikato Regional Council candidate Stu Kneebone. Photo: Jesse Wood
A recurring sentiment was a perceived disconnect between the community and council.
Council candidate Shane Walsh addressed that directly.
“Kihikihi is a great example of not being heard, because you have the cycleways and the changes to the streets. It was consulted, there were 149 submissions and 70 per cent of Kihikihi people said, no, we don’t want that. But it was done regardless,” Walsh said.
He talked of a recent online poll where 90 per cent of the 400 respondents said they were unhappy.
“If you consult with something and people are saying no and you do it anyway – to me that’s a disconnect between understanding the needs of the community versus doing what you think they should have,” he said.
Mike Pettit addresses attendees. Photo: Jesse Wood
Māori ward candidate Dale-Maree Morgan said she was ready to make magic and hoped everyone stood with her in the referendum to determine the future of the ward.
“A lot of people are having a go at the council about debt ceilings and things like that. I’m not sure if anybody really realises how much central government take in taxed levies, 93 per cent of taxed levies are taken by central government. Let that sink in,” Morgan said.
“I know that we have iwi out there that are keen to make magic and we are keen to have great partnerships so we can bring rates down. But people don’t want us to be at the table to help bring that magic.
“It’s about us – when we talk about communities, they are us. Not just me, us. But if you take this voice out, you’re taking a whole community out and that is going to be tragic when we have a low turnout already in local government voting.”
The three mayoral candidates – Susan O’Regan, Mike Pettit and Clare St Pierre – spoke at the end.
A few remarks from incumbent O’Regan likely stuck in the minds of attendees.
“Growth pays for growth, we’ve used that motto for decades, but we’ve missed a word off it: eventually.”
She also acknowledged candidates’ courage in standing.
“I want to a share my appreciation with all the other candidates. It’s not easy putting your hand up for public service. They’re either very brave or very foolish, but this wouldn’t be a contest of ideas without people putting their hands up, so thank you.”
Council candidate Dean Taylor, Māori ward candidate Dale-Maree Morgan with community board candidates Ange Holt and John Kopa. Photo: Jesse Wood
Community board candidates Jill Taylor and John Wood flank council candidates Graham Jull and Lou Brown. Photo: Jesse Wood
