A variety of candidates have entered the Southland District Mayoralty race, and here’s a bit about each of them.

We start with Geoffrey Young because he was the first to respond.

I have farmed all my life firstly on our family property near Tuatapere, and since 1993 when I bought Cattle Flat Station in northern Southland. Throughout my life I have contributed to many community organisations and businesses, mostly in leadership roles, the last being Provincial President of Southland Federated Farmers when I stepped down just over a year ago.

I am standing for the mayoralty to refresh the council and try to reduce wastage and bureaucracy. We have many new regulations coming at us from central government which impact on all our ratepayers and in many instances we need the full weight of our communities to push back against some of these policies which are expensive and overbearing. I will be a strong voice for Southland.

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Wendy Baker says it all in a poem.

She starts her bio. “I truely care, therefore I am standing for Mayor.”

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We need more fairness: reduce rates. (Being proactive I submitted a petition to Parliament to encourage an increase in rates rebate amounts).

More appreciation of volunteers; improved customer service, bylaws; roading; allowing submissions to all Annual Plans; Encourage more arts, sports, and incentive schemes.

Her background includes firstly a farmers/war veteran’s daughter. A proud RSA member, she has presented at 18 services across New Zealand. She has also volunteered for many organisations including: Red Cross, Asthma Society, Salvation Army, YFC, Commonwealth Games.

An accomplished New Zealand athlete and World Masters Medalist in running, Wendy is also a respected artist and poet.

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Current Mayor Gary Tong said ”It’s certainly a great opportunity to be able to contribute to What’s On Invers in regards to this matter, as I find all elections important.” We are only some three weeks out from the local body elections and I hope you are all considering your options.

As you will be aware I have been the mayor of Murihiku Southland for the past nine years and I am immensely proud of what you, council and staff have achieved in those years. There have been times when you have agreed and times you have disagreed with what councils recommendations have been. I can assure you that all the facts would have been considered.

This is an important time for you, a time when you need to reflect on where your community has been, and where you intend to see it go. We have all been through some tough times in the last two years and now we need to rebuild the trust between ourselves and your council, keep talking with your neighbours, support each other and talk to me about any concerns.

I encourage you to do two things 1) be sure of who you vote for as Mayor, Councillor or Community Board member 2) that you do vote. You need to vote – we need more than 42% of voters to turn out or government will look at what the local in local government actually means.

Tick Tong for continuity of leadership and trust – take care.

Lumsdener Rob Scott said Southland needs a passionate mayor who will represent all sectors of all of our communities. Someone who knows how to work the system to get results, and with business acumen to ensure that we have full accountability. In this turbulent time of change, we need a mayor that can hit the ground running, with a solid understanding of what works well in local government, of what’s broken, and a knowledge of how to fix it.

Southland is a place I am proud to raise my young family, where I’ve established two successful businesses including Route 6 Cafe. I have a proven track record of delivery in the community, and experience in local government from chairing a community board for 9 years followed by a term on council. I tick all of these boxes, and am ready and willing to serve you as the next mayor of Southland. www.robscottmyvote.nz

Kirsty Pickett offers a well-rounded background that encompasses farming, corporate management, small business ownership and community governance.

A journalist for 30 years (Kirsty Macnicol), I have served my apprenticeship on the sidelines of local government, but in the thick of community leadership.

I have been privileged to serve as a trustee of Community Trust South and a director of Invest South for the past two years. I am a qualified highland dancing teacher and judge and was instrumental in the establishment of the Te Anau Tartan Festival.

I have been enormously privileged that my career has enabled me to meet and tell the stories of people from all walks of life. It has given me a unique insight into the people and issues that make Southland what it is, particularly the nuances of local government and governance.

I want to lead a strong and united council that is really well set-up, facing the same direction as the communities we serve, so that no matter what comes at us, we will handle it well.

I favour conversations over consultation. Good conversations lead to good decision-making. And I want to lead a repositioning of the Southland District Council as the true representative force for the people who live here, not a beast in and of itself that we feel we’re forever fighting. We’re on the same side. We’re better together.

To learn more about me, my thoughts on issues, and the values that have shaped me visit www.kirstypickett.nz

Don Byars is the final candidate, but unfortunately we weren’t able to get a hold of him.

An Interesting Mix in the Southland District Mayoralty

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