It’s only four months out until our Elections 2025 and whatsoninvers.nz took the opportunity to ask our Invercargill City Councillors who was going to be running again.
We know the competition is hot for the mayoralty, with deputy Tom Campbell, Alex Crackett, Ian Pottinger, Tom Morton, Ria Bond and now Lynley McKerrow announcing she was throwing her hat in the ring too.
We start our pre-election coverage with councillor Grant Dermody and asked him a few questions about the upcoming election.
INVERCARGILL CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER ELECTION 2025
Q&A with Grant Dermody.
Will you be standing again?
Yes
Why or why not?
want to build on the work that has been done this term, particularly the work done with the Bluff community, the refocus of ICHL and the Museum.
How long have you already been involved exactly?
This was my first term
What are you most proud of/achievements in the time you have been on council?
Getting the CBD finished and the finances of ICL restructured - refocusing the ICHL portfolio. The work that has been done in Bluff with the boat ramp, the bike park and more council delivery on Bluff Infrastructure.
Progression of Te Unua/ project 1225 and the establishment of the Tuatarium in Queens Park.
Getting the roads tidied up in the CBD
The redevelopment of Wachner Place and the new hotel.
The Community wellbeing funding committee work.
What advice do you have for any new candidates standing?
It isn’t for the faint hearted, and you need to be prepared to listen and make some challenging decisions, but it is also very rewarding contributing to my community, city and province.
What do you see are the pressing issues in your city that you are particularly passionate about?
Completing the Museum so that the city and province can share and celebrate its past present and future.
Continue to make improvements to the city’s aesthetic features, especially the entrances and roundabouts.
Keep investing in our recreation areas.
Keep focused on working with stakeholders to grow the economic base and retain and attract people to Invercargill/ Bluff. Capture more of the visitor dollar spend in both the city and Bluff.
Nominations for the ICC elections open on Friday July 4 and close at 12pm on Friday August 1.
To be nominated, you must be over the age of 18, a New Zealand citizen, and enrolled on the electoral roll.
You do not need to live in the area you want to represent, but this needs to be declared in your candidate profile statement.
You will need two people to nominate you, who must be over 18 and on the Parliamentary Electoral Roll within the area you want to represent.
More information about the Local Body Elections can be found on the Elections page of the Invercargill City Council website or by emailing [email protected].
Next week we'll have councillors Trish Boyle and Steve Broad.