Lou Brown
Outgoing Waipā district councillor Lou Brown is thankful to his community for giving him the opportunity to represent the Te Awamutu and Kihikihi ward.
Lou Brown, pictured with Susan O’Regan, will turn his focus to RSA core values – Armistice Day, Anzac and looking after veterans. Photo: Jesse Wood
After two terms, 79-year-old Brown finished fourth in the election race for three seats behind Dean Taylor, Shane Walsh and the returning Marcus Gower.
Formerly a farmer at Puahue and dairy section chairman for Federated Farmers, Brown is a fifth generation Te Awamutu resident. He and wife Els moved into town in recent years and continually involved in the community.
Brown is a foundation member, first life member and patron of Te Awamutu Sports, a Vietnam war veteran and life member of the Te Awamutu RSA, life member of Te Awamutu Motorcycle Club and engages in several Te Awamutu Rotary projects.
Following the election, he’s turning his focus to RSA core values – Armistice Day, Anzac and looking after veterans.
“I really enjoyed working at being the regional chair for civil defence,” Brown said.
“That’s a role that is very underestimated in society. People don’t really worry about it until we have an earthquake or a flood or drought.
“You’ve got to have the people in place with the skills and knowledge to represent and get facilities sorted for when we do have these emergencies.
“It’s an important role because we have the largest civil defence area in the country, from Thames, up to Pokeno, down to Taupō and Awakino.”
Becoming a resource commissioner and being able to sit on regulatory hearings and participate in them was important to Brown.
Lou Brown
Addressing the new councillors, Brown believes the next three to six years are going to be “very financially difficult”.
“Finance is the biggest problem. We’ve got high debt level and we’ve got high-cost structures. It’s going to be hard to keep and contain the finances,” he said.
“It’s easy to talk about reducing expenditure. Talking is easy but doing it is different.”
Brown has plenty to keep him on his toes.
“I’m looking forward to having a little bit more time for myself. I’ll go down to the gym, keep fit and keep participating in the community. I won’t have time to put my feet up,” Brown said.
He helps with the Urban Miners’ e-waste collection.
“Hopefully we will continue to get rid of people’s appliances that are surplus to requirement and have them properly recycled.”
Lou Brown
He will also help – again – Rotary with the annual Te Awamutu Christmas Parade.
He also hopes to support the Kihikihi Residents and Ratepayers Association and the transition of the Alpha Hotel in Kihikihi to a community hub.
“A group of people there have worked tirelessly. Bill Harris, his sister Pixie Stockman and a group of others.
“I think it’s critical that we keep that going, it could be a great asset to the community of Kihikihi.”
Reflecting on his two terms, Brown is happy with his contribution.
“I’ve enjoyed the time. I thank the community for allowing me to do what I did,” Brown said.
“I wish the new councillors all the best of luck.”
Lou Brown enjoyed his time as Te Awamutu-Kihikihi ward councillor. Photo: Jesse Wood
