Platform

Keep our three waters.
Our water, wastewater & stormwater must remain in-house..
Don’t surrender ownership of our three waters! Waitaki would have no representation of the board of a new company. We would be tied together with troubled districts that would demand most new investment. We would lose control over future water charges. Keeping three waters in-house, like many other councils have done, is the only sensible course.
Rates.
Hold increases to no greater than inflation except in an emergency or if required by law.
With the upcoming 10.3% increase, average rates have soared 56% since 2021. This is far greater than the rate of inflation. Waitaki needs relief from this rate of increase. Council must pay for new spending by cutting out waste and non-essential items. Every line of Council’s budget must be reexamined to cut out the “nice to haves” that we can’t afford.
Stop beating up farmers.
District plan needs revision.
The Property Guardians have correctly identified provisions that unreasonably burden farmers. If the current Council doesn’t fix the District Plan, the new Council will. In addition, Council must do everything in its power to discourage “Carbon Forestry.”
Stop secrecy.
Make all Council business open to public with only a few exceptions.
Despite the Ombudsman directive to councils in 2023, Waitaki excluded the public from 81 items in 2024 at Council, Council committees, “Briefings” and “Workshops.” This undermines democracy and encourages corruption and waste. Secrecy should be strictly limited to actual commercial negotiations, litigation, and individual employee privacy.
Transformation.
Stop and reevaluate.
This expensive disruption of Council staff has been largely hidden from the public by Council secrecy. An immediate review must take place by the new Council to restore stability, undo any mistakes, and control costs.
Debt must be minimised.
Make it the last resort, not the first.
Council has borrowed almost $100 million since 2020, and much more is threatened. Instead of borrowing, we have depreciation funds and repayment of Council’s loans to other entities that can help pay for expensive projects like three waters. Projects should be deferred whenever possible and carefully planned to obtain lowest costs. Any additional borrowing must be a carefully considered Council decision, and not an automatic privilege of staff.
Beach Road must be reopened.
The wilful destruction of Beach Road is one of the worst instances of Council mismanagement. Although the long-term issue of protection from erosion remains, the road must be reopened now at the projected cost of $720,000, which should be found elsewhere in the budget. Read more here.
Fluoride must be minimised.
Council should direct that the absolute minimum concentration demanded by the Government must never be exceeded in any part of the water delivery system.
Build on our heritage wealth.
Realise the economic and cultural opportunities.
Council must be a strong partner for the many community initiatives for our historic district, wildlife, GeoPark, trails and other great assets. While Council financial support will be constrained by budget austerity, there are many ways that Council can stimulate private initiative and donations, and advance a vision for a high-end visitor economy.
Stand up for local democracy.
Waitaki matters, not Wellington.
Waitaki should ally with other districts to resist Central Government policies that violate our best interests. The “Communities for Local Democracy” against the original Three Waters scheme was a great example, and Waitaki’s failure to join was shameful. Global and national pressures can threaten local democracy. Council must not be afraid to fight back.

“Here’s what
I stand for”

We need a new Council.

“Here’s what I stand for”

We need a new Council.

“Here’s what
I stand for”