With the 2025 local elections just four months away, whatsoninvers.nz is putting every Invercargill City Councillor in the hot seat to see who’s in—and who’s out—for another term. For this Q&A, conducted via email, we catch up with Councillor Steve Broad to discuss his intentions, priorities, and the issues he believes will define the coming campaign.*
*Note: All current councillors have been sent the same Q&A questions and will be published as we receive them!
Will you be standing again? Yes
Why? I feel more connected and determined to make a difference in my community than ever. I became a councillor through the 2023 by-election, right in the middle of a Long Term Plan process, and it was definitely a baptism by fire. But I’ve listened, I’ve learned, and I’m excited about the opportunity to take that learning and continue to serve my community. It is crucial that our council is made up of capable and active councillors. I believe my ability to listen, engage and elevate our community voice on the issues that matter most to them are strengths needed around the table.
How long have you already been involved exactly?
22 months
What are you most proud of in the time you’ve been on council?
I’m proud of the energy and work ethic I’ve brought to the role. I’ve worked hard to be a present, active and engaged councillor across our community. To take the role of councillor beyond the council chamber, understand our community’s concerns and aspirations, speak up when it matters, and help make council more visible and accessible.
I’m proud of the progress this council has made on key infrastructure projects across the city and Bluff, around our CBD and Wachner Place development, while also working hard to manage rates rises to some of the lowest in the country, despite challenging circumstances.
I’m particularly proud of my work on the Community Wellbeing Fund subcommittee, for building strong relationships with the Invercargill Youth Council and rangatahi across the city, supporting our younger voices, and strengthening council relationships with the Invercargill Public Art Gallery and wider arts sector.
Above all, I’m proud of my commitment to listening to our community and to my fellow councillors. Even when we’ve disagreed, I’ve focused on working constructively and positively, always aiming for consensus where possible. I believe in being open to different perspectives, and I’m not afraid to change my mind when that better serves our people. Recent decisions to back funding for both Stadium Southland and Great South are good examples of that.
Above all, I’ve tried to approach every decision with integrity and a genuine desire to serve and honour the role.
What advice do you have for any new candidates standing?
Firstly, good on you for standing. That takes courage!
Don’t feel like you have to know everything from day one, but be clear on why you’re standing and what you bring to the table. Always stay open to learning and new perspectives. Make sure you have the time and capacity to do the role well for your community. Remember it is a service role, a privilege. Stay connected, listen carefully, show up, and use your voice with purpose. Most of all, remember who you’re there to represent.
What do you see are the pressing issues in our city that you are particularly passionate about?
We need to return to a strong, clear, community-led vision for our city that helps inform decisions. We can’t afford a distracted council, disjointed strategies or ad-hoc spending. I’m committed to a more focused, visible, and collaborative council. One that listens well, consults meaningfully, communicates clearly, and delivers with purpose.
We must be smart, strategic, and disciplined about how we spend, and that must be a core focus for any councillor. Ratepayers need to know their money is being respected and that every dollar is working for the long-term good of the city. There are some major decisions to work through for Council, including aging infrastructure, water security, wastewater treatment, and the delivery of core services. We must deliver these services well while maintaining affordability.
In a climate where councils will need to better define core business, we also have major capital projects that our community want clarity and direction on. That includes delivering Te Unua - Museum of Southland on time and to the standard our city deserves; resolving the future of Rugby Park and major sporting facilities; and following through on our commitment to a vibrant CBD. We also need to define the role that art, culture and public space will play in our future and how the council best supports that.
I’m passionate about reconnecting council with our community, business sector, and key stakeholders ensuring people have better access to the decision-making process, feel genuinely heard and that our decisions are guided by long-term thinking and shared aspirations.
Part of that is ensuring that our regional development agency Great South gets a clear direction and accountability from council around key focus areas, like housing, tourism, job and economic development and that council is working proactively and productively through more regular workshopping with the relevant sectors to understand the needs, and facilitate delivery.