Question  – Budget  Would you stick within budget or say yes to any requests that are not essential operational infrastructure?

The Council has a CEO and Elected members just like a corporate business.  For those people that say council is different – the pre-election report states, ”COUNCIL IS A BIG BUSINESS”.  They may be correct, however, unlike corporate businesses, Kāpiti Council appears to overlook the fact that both need to stick to budgets, core business, answer to shareholders (Ratepayers) and return a profit.

Question  – Decision Process – All      Are you happy with how slowly decisions are made within council?  What systems do you have to or plan to put in place to speed up these processes?

I do have a grasp on how slow the wheels turn when so many are protecting their backsides.  If there was a lot more transparency things would get done quickly and those who were covering things up would be accountable to those actions / inactions.  Reduce the number of meetings for the sake of having a meeting.  Results and actions are required with maintaining transparency.

Question – Excess council vehicles – ALL    Would you support removal of non-essential council staff cars to reduce expenditure?

While working with other councils around NZ I was made aware that some council vehicles were used privately.  However, I was also aware that those council vehicles were charged to the individuals.  i.e. UHCC charged staff $15:00 per overnight use and a per Km rate on top.  I have no problem with that.  This applied to pool cars and not those for on call for service i.e. Water care, parks.

Question  –  Regrets on decisions made – Hopefuls      What would you do differently from this recent council?

If there was significantly more transparency to the community and less backside covering decisions may have had different outcomes and more people may have been accountable while falling on their swords.  From my background bad decision may have resulted in harm, however, in council this results in costs and causes hardship for the residence and community.

Question –  Rates Capping – All      Rates capping is what Kāpiti Coast Residents want   Do you agree?

No:  I do not agree with rates caping.  There is no accountability or measure as to what they are caped to.  i.e. if it is caped to XX percent then the wealthy sneeze while the fixed income goes hungry, cold and reduce their access to services. i.e. rubbish collection.  I propose to review how and to what properties and charged rates.  With this approach I believe that rates will be correctly portioned and not disproportionately hidden.

Question – Airport – All      Do you agree the airport is an asset for the Kāpiti Coast? Do you agree that it is potentially an income revenue source for the region and should be kept operational as a priority?

I believe that the airport is key to economic recovery for the Kāpiti region.

I would like to see the return and expansion of the aero club and servicing division.  Kāpiti has some very fine features where tourists could fly in have their planes serviced while they play golf, partners view the arts and bird sanctuary, fine dining and stay overnight.  This will expand our workforce and technical ability while showcasing our area and heritage.  Kāpiti also has some very skilled IT, AI, and cottage electronics industries here where business meetings are typically held in the larger centres away from where the work is carried out.  The airport could be utilized for this function.

Although these are not directly related to KCDC revenue any money bought into the region helps local businesses.  There is a small conference facility at the airport plus review the feasibility to utilise the council chambers as another venue and cost recovery.

Question – Common Goals – All      What common goals do you share with other mayoral/council hopefuls? Will you be able to work well as a team?

Surprisingly many of the candidates have similar goals.  However very few can see a method to move forward they continue to do the same things and expect a different result.  My security business is all about recognising risks, potential escalation of risks and working towards desirable outcomes for all parties involved.  Will I be able to work well as a team: 100% Team work makes the dream work.  I would also like to be able to reach out to the residence and community to contribute via the community boards and councillors.

Question – Methodology – All      What common methodology do you share with other candidates to be able achieve these goals at the least cost to rate payers?

Many candidates seek the same outcomes.  I am not always correct and I always respect opinions and input from other contributors.  I offer collaborative solutions from a very wide range of experience and methods to achieve results.  My management style is to set tasks with milestones and KPI’s with regular reporting.  I do need to be across all tasks at all times, however, not micro-managing the task.  A warning I am fair but not forgiving for tasks which have not been achieved in a timely cost-effective manner, I will and do hold people accountable.  Everyone will learn from and be accountable for any mistakes, repeating the same will not be tolerated.

Question – Rate payer engagement – Are you approachable – All      Have you engaged with rate payers on their concerns? What are the top 5 concerns you have discovered and how do you plan to prioritise them?

Yes I believe I am approachable.  Refer to question 11 above.

1. Review and set consistent rating and development standards
   1. Currently larger developers have different standards and KCDC exemptions applied by KCDC.  i.e. Stormwater retention
   1. Building code exemptions issued and overridden by engineer reports.
   1. Different rating standards applied to different developments.
2. Debt management and the interest incurred
   1. I have a Waste Management Solution that has a return of $18 million year on year based on current wholesale Electricity pricing.
3. Social Infrastructure
   1. This has been lagging in many aspects, largely caused by the lack of government representation from MP’s since Nathan Guy.  The government elections may see a huge change, enabling KCDC to achieve better presentation and leverage from the incoming MP.
   1. 100+ Bed Hospital, Waikanae High School and 3 more primary including intermediate schools.
   1. Limited housing developments until the government funded infrastructure requirements are operational.  (This will change the consent landscape, KCDC OIA 2425 – 1399 claims 23.4% of residential properties are vacant not including the baches)
   1. Growth must pay for Growth. (Jo Turner: Districtwide candidate)
   1. No more non-productive meetings for the sake of a meeting.
4. The Council does not listen, Poor resident contribution
   1. In my opinion the residence no-longer trusts or respects the council or staff.  Rebuilding this may be a tall ask if unless we have a lot of new councillors that are business / community focused.
5. Lead by example
   1. The ultimate goal would be to be the first positive cashflow council / community in NZ.  The Council is a business and should be managed like a business with PROFIT for its shareholders / residence.  (Reducing Rates)

Question – Policies – All      What top 5 policies do you stand for?

1. Turn the council into cashflow positive
   1. Invest in core services that have ROI,
   1. Waste to Energy is a start with 18% ROI,
   1. Review the approved expenditure to expand the wastewater plants.
2. Rebuild the community trust in a council
   1. Improve transparency,
   1. Provide 2-way communications.
3. Ensure that core service delivery are maintained
   1. Review Rubbish collection,
   1. Identify what has happened to the 3 waters services.  They may have been moved from core service to an essential service which may fall outside of rates calculations.
4. Restore the family values and family unit.  Unity in the Community
   1. When we have a community that is working together things will happen everywhere.
   1. Council Vacant land made available for community garden groups to teach the youth in sustainable living.
   1. Homework programs that teach the youth family values from the senior community.  This will have a many facetted approach and result.
5. Take some council meeting to the community
   1. To build trust require feedback and action on that feedback.
   1. Moving some of the meeting to your local community board meeting (Evenings).  The purpose is to hear your voices, concerns and provide feedback.
   1. Have a suggestion box at every council meeting.  This will allow for some residence to have ignominious feedback if they are not able to attend of shy from public.

Question – How will you achieve these 5 policies – All      What methodology do have in being able to achieve your top 5 policies?

Refer to last question

Question – How would you implement rates Reduction – All      How would you reduce rates? What council expenditure cuts would you implement to achieve rate reduction?

Implement Waste management solution that delivers 18% ROI.  Review staff roles and functions to maximise efficiency.  Redirect some funds and grants to projects with KPI’s that better deliver core services delivery.  Review returning household rubbish collection to core service.

Question – Connectivity – All      Have you actively engaged with other candidates on any of these topics in the questionnaire to bring a cohesive proactive council?

Yes.

Question 20           Achievements –   What 5 achievements do you plan to achieve if you are re-elected?

1. Turn the council into cashflow positive to set a rates reduction protocol
2. Rebuild the community trust in a council
3. Ensure that core services delivery are maintained
4. Government accountability for Hospital, education, Staff accountable for their action / inactions.
5. Take some council meeting to the community

EDITOR’S NOTE: The questions were set by Mr Evans. Due to only only reply questions have been edited to suit.

An audience of over 300 packed out Te Raukura ki Kāpiti for the great Kāpiti Mayoral Debate on Monday night.

Former Christchurch City councillor Sue Wells was the moderator and kept all six mayoral aspirants on topic and on time.

Each candidate had three minutes to introduce themselves and most took the well trodden path they have perfected over the last few weeks of campaigning and candidate meetings (for the Mayors this was their 12th meeting).

Rob McCann was first up and he started quite generously, praising several things the current mayor and council had got right. However, it is hard to get elected by praising your opposition so he changed tack and had a crack at council over the Social Investment Fund and how agencies had been left in the lurch, particularly KYS, then finished with his slogan McCann can.

Dean Harris told the assembled masses he was a qualified builder and importer from China. Mr Harris dispensed with the notion of praise and went straight to the reason he was standing – The Jacobs Report (about sea-level rise) and rates got him into politics. He said his team had done their homework and said a 3% rates cap is achievable without cutting services. His slogan response was Dean Does.

Next up, Kim Hobson said he was only standing for Mayor which shows his one hundred percent commitment to the role (perhaps a subtle dig at Koh/McCann who are also standing for a councillor seat). Mr Hobson said his work in the security industry meant he had a low profile, referred to himself as the Invisible Man. He had no political affiliations. His slogan – Transparency builds Trust.

Reigning mayor Janet Holborow played the experience card, pointing out the importance of being fully informed as we enter another difficult time. She said this has been a very collaborative and respectful council and community boards had been empowered and engaged. Ms Holborow said the council had achieved a great deal in the last three years having created; a Housing Trust, MOUs with KYS and Nga Manu, work on the Waikanae Library and the Ōtaki Reservoir, a strong financial position and a plan to reduce debt. Slogan – Keep Kāpiti Moving Forward.

The ever affable Martin Halliday said there is much value in accumulated knowledge gained as a sitting councillor. He said there has been a significant improvement on how the current council operated compared to previous councils. Mr Halliday said rates affordability was a big issue and said they are at their limit. He advocates for rates rises to be limited to 5% of median household income. Slogan – I Get Things Done

Liz Koh said Kāpiti needs stronger leadership and sound financial management. She said rates affordability was the big issue but we also need to bring debt down. Ms Koh said every ratepayer was paying about $450 a year as interest on the current debt and that was unsustainable. Ms Koh’s slogan is Let’s Work Together.

The questions: Here are a couple:

Rates affordability – what would you do as mayor?

Mr Harris said rates are set to increase 7% per year for the next 10 years and his team has a plan to reduce that to 3%.

Mr Hobson said affordability is subjective and rates are not applied equally or fairly across the district.

Ms Holborow said there was an unprecedented rates rise right across the country due to the cancellation of Three Waters. She said Council had done well to reduce costs by $3million and will continue looking at opportunities to make savings.

Mr Halliday wants rates back in line with the 5% median household income. He said Kāpiti is one of the lowest operating expenditure per capita councils in the country.

Ms Koh said we need to agree what affordable is. She said 7% is too high and rates capping doesn’t work, citing examples where rates caps have seen degrading of infrastructure and increased debt.

Mr McCann said rates rises are out of control. He said the LTP is the engine room for these decisions and we need to consult with the community about what they want to prioritise.

Growth and Intensification – what do we need to do to prepare?

Mr McCann said when he was on Council the District Plan was very out of date and they fixed it, allowing for intensification in the right places. He said Labour and National governments threw our community into chaos with Plan Change 2 and the council hasn’t pushed back.

Mr Harris said there will be substantial growth and there needs to be a look at the planning and there is a need to push back at central government.

Mr Hobson said government’s tiered system did not work for Kāpiti. He said we were rated tier 1 for housing but for health and education we were tier 3 which means the government has not met its obligations to our communities.

Ms Holborow said there needs to be adequate infrastructure – primarily stormwater, to cope as lots of our land is low-lying and flood prone. She said PC2 was government imposed and they need to provide social facilities such as schools and medical facilities.

Mr Halliday said because of PC2 we lost key precincts and there is a need for intensification but it needs to be near transport infrastructure.

Ms Koh said you can’t stop people coming here and the real issue is in the supplementary services and we need to advocate to central government for these.

Several Questions were put to all candidates for brief (relatively) answers and the full list and responses can be viewed at the video link below.

The full video is available at: https://www.youtube.com/live/A4QNkxAQnxw

Congratulations to Steffi Haefeli and her crew for putting on this most successful of candidate meetings.

Earlier, local candidates had an opportunity to speed date with members of the public, and this too was well attended.

Council’s Meet the Candidates sessions are being held across the district from 22 September until 1 October. Meet the Candidate session invites have been extended to all Mayoral, Districtwide and Ward Councillors, and Community Board candidates to present their candidacy for their area. Voters can attend at any time during the two-hour slots to ask the candidates questions.  

Dates and times for those are here: https://www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/council/about-council/local-elections/local-elections-2025/meet-the-candidates/

Controversial opinion: Local government politicians are generally underpaid for the role they perform. Every three years, our local government elections bring out a wide range of campaign promises, with one of those recurring themes being the idea that – if elected – a candidate proposes to cut the pay of their fellow councillors. The problem? It’s not something that councillors can decide, and for good reason.

The pay for elected members in local government isn’t set by councils themselves, rather it’s determined independently by the Remuneration Authority. The idea is that this body sets fair and consistent pay rates for elected officials across the country. It takes into account factors such as the size of the council, the population it services, and the complexity of the role to determine how many hours are likely to be needed and what is reasonable compensation for that time.

This independent process is all designed to stop elected member pay becoming a political football or being weaponised by those who are independently well off to undermine those seeking office who might not be.

This, however, doesn’t stop candidates from trying. One local candidate here in Kāpiti proposed doing just this by saying they’d bring to council a resolution for councillors to take a 20 percent pay cut over the next three years. Even after it was pointed out that councillors have no legal power to cut each other’s pay, they continued to deny this reality. Beyond the legal impasse, there’s significant ethical issues too. There’s a huge conflict of interest at play, which is why the Remuneration Authority was created in the first place to ensure that pay is set separately from the sector and done so consistently and transparently across councils, without political bias or personal agendas creeping in.

There’s an equity issue too. If councillors could slash each other’s pay, it could deter people from less wealthy backgrounds from seeking public office. Local government demands long hours, heavy workloads, and the sacrifices from having a public profile. I know from personal experience that a role I expected to be between 20-30 hours a week depending on what was happening quickly ballooned out to 40-50.

This means that for many who are elected they’re not able to hold other employment during their time in office while only being paid effectively a part-time salary. While nobody is getting elected to local government for the money, we all still have bills to pay, home loans to service/rent to pay, and our whānau to clothe and feed. It’s easy for those who are independently wealthy or are self-employed in industries not impacted by the role to forget this when campaigning to cut elected members’ pay. Sometimes I suspect that driving others of lesser economic means out of public life might even be the point of these promises.

Finally, there’s also the question of democratic integrity. Councillors are elected to make decisions on behalf of their communities about things like infrastructure, planning, the environment, and services. Using their position to interfere with each other’s pay crosses into self-serving or punitive behaviour, which would only serve to undermine public trust in the institution.

Of course, there’s nothing stopping a candidate saying they’ll donate a portion or all of their pay to charity. Once they’ve been paid what they do with that money is their own business. But trying to cut the pay of fellow councillors isn’t just contrary to law, it undermines fairness, equity, and the very integrity of local democracy.

Gwynn Compton is a political commentator and has more articles here: https://localaotearoa.substack.com/

Nerves were clearly in evidence as Mayoral, District-wide, Maori Ward, two Local Wards, and Greater Wellington candidates faced a well attended Grey Power meeting in Paraparaumu on Friday.

For many candidates this is not only their first election but it was also their first public meeting and it showed, while some others excelled in the spotlight.

Of the District-wide candidates Gavin Welsh continues to impress, as he had done in the Its In The Ballot show last week. Current Deputy Mayor Lawrence Kirby again looked assured and spoke with authenticity while facing some tough questions. Former councillor Jackie Elliott also impressed and has a plan for reducing council debt. Joanna Turner urged greater transparency and suggested all ratepayers should receive the council newsletter. Ms Turner also favoured more commercial sponsorship for public amenities such as Mahara Gallery. Joanne Welch supports capping rates at 3% and Grant Bartlett supported amenities for youth such as the Skatepark at Paraparaumu Beach.

Next up it was the Mayoral candidates. Liz Koh said the debt is too high and the challenge is to get the balance right when reducing debt while protecting our core infrastructure. Ms Koh said ratepayers are paying $450 a year in interest on the debt and that is not sustainable. Martin Halliday put a strong emphasis on health and housing issues with his tagline ‘I get things done’.

Former councillor Rob McCann was up next and said more than anything else council needs to listen to the community. He blamed the previous government and council for Plan Change 2 and wants debt to be intergenerationally apportioned.

Dean Harris said he had set up Concerned Ratepayers Wellington region and would be capping rates at 3%. He said Kāpiti needed growth but was very sceptical of the planned spend on economic development with no metrics on the likely return.

Current Mayor Janet Holborow was next to speak and congratulated Grey Power and the ‘amazing list of candidates’. She said her inclusive leadership style had worked well and Kāpiti was now in a position where it has one of the lowest rates rises in New Zealand.

Kim Hobson said he has been a business owner since 1984 and his profile is not as well known as others. Mr Hobson said Kāpiti meets the criteria for a 146-bed hospital and pressure must be put on central government. He said we must have social infrastructure in place to cope with growth.

With so many candidates it is difficult to review them all so here are some highlights in the speakers order:

Paraparaumu Ward Candidates: Paul Baggott – rates reform needed, more dialogue with central government, need more jobs. Fiona Vining – Family lawyer and tax lawyer. Warned against those who say they will get rates down but haven’t produced any ideas on how to do it. Euon Murrell – Five time councillor at Porirua and term as deputy mayor. Passionate about giving back to the community . Glen Cooper – Offering commonsense fiscal responsibility. Very supportive of community groups such as CRU – one of the outstanding candidates at the meeting. Chris Harwood started with ‘I Have a Dream’ but says it is becoming unaffordable. She stands for change in how democracy works between elections. Ms Harwood says the bills are too high, rates, insurance, power. Strongly supports 3% rates cap. Glen Olsen – born and bred in Paraparaumu, and current chair of the Paraparaumu Community Board. Aware of all the issues. Bernie Randall – Said we are being asked to pay more and get less.Wants business rates removed and no funding for district art gallery.

Next up were two of the Raumati Ward candidates. First up Bede Laracy said he had the privilege of chairing the Raumati Community Board the last three years and wants to keep his people first policy at Council. Wants better health care, the Gold Card to be 24/7 and as the bell signalled the end of his time gave the best final line with… blah blah blah vote Bede.

Zelda Edwards is a newcomer to local politics but has a very impressive resume. Ms Edwards is concerned about the increasing polarisation in politics and emphasised the need to work collaboratively for the well-being of the community. Would not impose artificial cap on rates.

Five of the Kāpiti Maori Ward candidates were next.

Kāpiti Coast Grey Power President and former Kāpiti Coast Deputy Mayor Roger Booth said after the meeting “the highlight for me at the Paraparaumu meeting was the first opportunity for residents to hear from the set of mainly young candidates vying for the Kāpiti Coast Maori Ward Councillor position.  Five of six candidates were there, and they provide local Maori with a healthy range of candidate choice. 

“I believe that the recent decision of Kāpiti Coast District Council to allow for the creation of a local Maori Ward, with full status as a Councillor, is an exciting one.  And the selection of candidates is impressive,” said Mr Booth.

Himiona Grace was first up – he is standing as a Te Pati Maori candidate and has held a national role with the party for 10 years. Mr Grace said Maori are being priced out of their own communities with high house prices and high rents and he favours affordable housing solutions. He said it was important the ward stays and said tick to keep the Maori Ward.

Brian Ruawai-Hamilton noted there were very few in the audience who were Maori and said his korero is to convince the wider audience of the importance of keeping the Maori Ward.

Deanna Rudd acknowledged the difficulty and challenge of dealing with Government over-reach into local government. She said ‘we will continue to demonstrate manakitanga and whanaungatanga and sees a Maori Ward as an important part of the operation of council.

Jordon Wansbrough led off with a stiring rendition of kamate kamate. Mr Wansbrough said he was standing because what he sees is a lack of representation ‘for Maori, for youth, for those with disabilities’.

Jason Thurston says there needs to be a review of the Alcohol Policy and advocates the free use of halls. Mr Thurston says the mana whenua partnership with Council has established principles now and he would work alongside the rest of the Council in upholding the Treaty. Mr Thurston said rates affordability was a big issue for everyone.

Mr Booth said “to cap things off, as a demonstration of how the local iwi can combine, they finished with a great spontaneous waiata.”

Last up (after 3 hours) were the two Greater Wellington candidates Penny Gaylor and Sam Ferguson.

Ms Gaylor said she was proud to be from Ōtaki where her family are raised. She chairs the Environment Committee and had brought the Whaitua Scheme to Kāpiti. She said the train services to Ōtaki will happen when the new trains are purchased which GW is currently negotiating. They are expected to be on line by 2029.

Mr Ferguson said he was born in Paraparaumu and lives in Paekākāriki. He is currently on the Horizons regional council and chairs the Public Transport Committee. Mr Ferguson said in his time the bus network doubled and he has driven through the funding for the Kāpiti to Palmerston North trains.

Mr Booth says he was highly satisfied that a well-attended first-up of four Local Body Candidate Meetings yesterday ‘gave attendees plenty to think about’.

The other Grey Power Candidate meetings are: 

Tuesday 29 August at Waikanae Community Centre at 10am

Wednesday 3 September at Waikanae Community Centre at 6pm

Friday 5 September at Ōtaki Memorial Hall at 2pm

“And when have we ever before had as many as 87 candidates standing for Kāpiti Coast local body positions, plus two more for Greater Wellington.

“When a city like Lower Hutt struggles to find enough people to fill the positions, why has Kāpiti unearthed so many candidates? Grey Power needs to remain impartial, but a local media spokesperson suggests that when you get lots of candidates it reflects dissatisfaction with what is going on. I guess the coming results will see whether the spokesperson was on the right track,” says Mr Booth.

He says one of the features of the Kāpiti Coast political scene is the Community Boards – five in number. “When you have 38 candidates, a good selection for each of five boards, it is actually a pity that these folk can’t speak at the meetings. But the meetings will each probably stretch close to three hours anyway, displaying the speaking skills and ideas of the Mayoral, District Wide, Maori Ward, and Greater Wellington Regional Council candidates. But many of the relevant Community Board candidates will be at meetings within their portions of the Kāpiti Coast to be introduced, and available to chat with citizens after the respective meetings.”

The presence this time of citizen groups backing candidates makes the scene a little different. “They are not really political parties like our traditional ones, over the years these sort of groups come and go, but their thoughts will affect results. And they are talking a lot about rates levels now, and planned for the future,” says Mr Booth.

He says the emergence of a Maori ward this time as another real feature.

Mr Booth, who was Deputy Mayor of Kāpiti 10 years ago, recalls some representation of iwi on Council committees in his time on the local Council. “But these were iwi representatives, from one or other of Kāpiti’s three key iwi. This time the chosen Maori ward Councillor will need to be speaking for all the local iwi, and finding some way to be able to genuinely do this. It will not be easy.”

The Paraparaumu meeting will be followed by two meetings in Waikanae, at the Waikanae Community Centre. The first on Tuesday September 2 at 10am, and the second in the evening, ‘especially for those who are at work during the day,’ on Wednesday 3 September at 6pm.

Then the fourth meeting will be in the Ōtaki Memorial Hall at 2pm on Friday 5 September.

Mr Booth and Kāpiti Coast Grey Power urge citizens to attend meetings.

Meeting details:

NOTE: Mayoral, KCDC District Wide Councillor, GWRC Kāpiti Councillor, and Kāpiti Maori Ward Councillor candidates have been invited to present at all four meetings.
Paraparaumu and Paekākāriki-Raumati Councillor candidates to present at the Paraparaumu meeting
Waikanae Councillor candidates to present at the Waikanae meeting
Ōtaki Councillor candidates to present at the Ōtaki meeting

In addition the Kāpiti Coast Community Board candidates have been invited to attend their respective meetings, where they will be introduced.

Pre-election Report 2025

“Prepared by Chief Executive Darren Edwards, the Pre-election Report 2025 outlines the role of Council governance (Elected Members) in addressing local needs and summarises our strategic direction, and major projects and finances over the past and next three years. It also outlines the major challenges and issues facing our district, encouraging informed discussions and debates.

“We might be biased, but we think it’s a great read and a document we and the community should come back to time and time again. It’s about where we have been and where we are going, and what might make that path tricky along the way.

“There is a huge amount going on in local government right now, which will have a significant effect on the future of our district, so we want everyone – especially those who aspire to be leaders in our community, to be as well informed as possible. We encourage you to read the Pre-election Report and learn more .”

“I’ve championed health services, housing, economic resilience, and sustainability while fighting unfair rates rises and decisions like the Gateway.

“As Mayor, I’ll push for: A Unitary Council to streamline services and cut waste; Fairer rating systems and developing alternative revenue to ease the rate burden on households; Advocacy for local health facilities and services, schools, and transport links to Wellington Hospital; Deeper partnerships with iwi and hapū to honour Te Tiriti and shared goals.

My business background and hands-on leadership ensure accountability, not empty promises. I’ll keep listening, prioritising your needs, and ensuring Kāpiti thrives, not just survives. Vote Halliday #1 for Mayor. A leader who gets things done. Thank-you for your consideration. Ngā mihi, Martin Halliday. For further information: web www.martinhalliday.co.nz Email: halliday4council@gmail.com

All candidates are offered the opportunity to submit a profile and photo for the position they are standing for.

“Over the past three years, I’ve led a collaborative, forward-looking Council. Together, we’ve strengthened our economy, secured Government funding, and laid the groundwork for more local jobs.

“We’re delivering key projects – new reservoirs in Ōtaki, a library in Waikanae, and planning is well underway for a new indoor sports and community centre in Paraparaumu. We’ve advocated for better health services and addressed our housing challenges.

“We’ve kept our water services in local hands to protect our high-performing infrastructure. Under my leadership, we’ll continue to manage our finances prudently.

“I work collaboratively to get results. We’ve achieved so much and there’s more to do.

“Let’s keep building a thriving, resilient Kāpiti Coast.

“For more information visit www.janetholborow.co.nz.”

All candidates are offered the opportunity to submit a profile and photo for the position they are standing for.

“Kāpiti needs fresh leadership. If we’re serious about controlling rates, we must lead by example – and not approve $50,000 pay rises for a new CEO just one year into the job.

“Leadership starts at the top. As your Mayor, I’ll be open, transparent, and accountable. I’ll end closed-door decision-making, empower community boards, ensure your voice is heard – and bring much-needed financial discipline to the mayoralty.

“I’ll back projects that deliver value for our community – but if something doesn’t stack up, I won’t support it. With experience in both the public and private sectors – including running my own business, leading an NGO, and working in a Cabinet Minister’s office – I offer the fresh leadership Kāpiti needs now.”

All candidates are offered the opportunity to submit a profile and photo for the position they are standing for.

“Rates affordability is a key issue but, on the other hand, Councils are under pressure from rising costs, and imperatives from Central Government to consult on and implement new regulations without additional funding.

“Ratepayers are demanding more accountability, transparency and a greater say in Council spending priorities. The next triennium will require strong leadership to navigate these complex issues; to find a solution for rates affordability that doesn’t undermine the future financial stability of Council and allows us to reduce debt.

“Council and the community need to work as a team to find a way forward. I offer a track record of strong leadership and community involvement, decades of experience as an accountant and financial adviser and an ability to get things done. Change is imperative. Leadership, engagement and transparency are what I stand for. Together we can succeed.”

All candidates are offered the opportunity to submit a profile and photo for the position they are standing for.