Former Hurunui Mayor returns to council table
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
Former Hurunui Mayor Gary Jackson is returning to the council table.
Mr Jackson made a last minute decision to stand in the south ward when there were just two nominations for four positions, just days out from nominations closing.
He won one of four seats in the Hurunui District Council’s south ward in Saturday’s (October 8) local government election.
He was mayor from 2004 to 2010 before stepping down from the council.
‘‘My wife passed away earlier this year and I was searching for what is my new life.
‘‘My daughter said ‘you have a passion for the district’ and she thought it might give me a sense of purpose.
‘‘Mayor Marie Black has done a great job given the pressure the council is under with Three Waters reform and I just want to be a team player at the table.’’
Jackson said he hoped to reinvigorate Amberley’s growth during his time on the council.
‘‘Kaiapoi and Rangiora have continued to make great steps forward, but we’ve lost a little bit of ground.’’
He will be joined by new councillor Vanessa McPherson and sitting councillors Robbie Bruerton and Pauline White.
Mrs McPherson said the new council team had ‘‘a good combination of skills and talents’’.
She said she had a long list of goals she wanted to achieve.
‘‘Honestly it’s early days, but I have a pretty clear vision of how the community needs to grow on its own terms and it seems a lot of people agree with that.’’
She also believed local government elections needed to be ‘‘reinvigorated’’ to encourage more people to vote.
Deputy mayor Vincent Daly and Fiona Harris also return in the east ward.
New councillors Tom Davies and David Hislop were elected unopposed in the west ward, joining sitting councillors Karen Armstrong and Ross Barnes.
Mayor Marie Black was also re-elected unopposed.
Black said she was looking forward to ‘‘building a strong, cohesive council’’.
She was due to meet with councillors individually this week to discuss their goals and aspirations, ahead of the council induction next Thursday, October 20.
‘‘I think it’s going to be a great journey and we’re hoping for less Covid impact on our community over the next three years.’’
Covid-19 was unheard of when Black was sworn in as mayor back in 2019 and the government’s reform agenda was only in its ‘‘infancy’’.
Three Waters and Resource Management Act reform and the future of local government loom as major issues over the next three years.
The deputy mayor will be elected by the council and councillors will decide whether to adopt Tuesday as the council meeting day at the October 20 meeting.
■ Public interest journalism is funded by New Zealand on Air.
Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.
Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.
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64.6% Yes
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Paddy Gower seeks ‘bloody great Cantab’
The Kiwi journalist drilling deep into the country’s biggest issues is on a mission to find the local greats.
Paddy Gower is looking for the Good Kiwi in every region to feature in his show, The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour.
To nominate a Good Kiwi, email reporters@press.co.nz with the name and a description of why your nominee should win. You an also share the local issues you think Paddy needs to tackle in the comments below.
It could be the woman whose knitting circle has made 3800 items for victims of domestic violence, the guy running the length of Aotearoa for mental health, or the woman with terminal cancer who spends her time campaigning to raise awareness and save lives.
“Basically I am looking for ... a bloody great Cantab who just gets on and gets things done. The criteria is somebody who has a positive attitude and makes the community a better place," Gower said.
“I will give this person the 'Big Ups' they deserve, and the community can celebrate them with me.”
A Good Kiwi will feature in each of Gower’s live shows in 14 centres through November and December. He will name the Cantabrian Good Kiwi at his Christchurch show on the evening of Friday, November 22, at St Margaret’s College.
The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour is a sort of book tour, sort of stand-up comedy, some journalistic yarns and memoir, and some motivational speaking - with a fair bit of local in each show.
Gower also wants to know about topics of interest in the region.
“I’m ... going to be taking on a big issue facing Canterbury and offering up solutions.”
A stinky suburb, a neighbourhood needing a round-about or a cathedral in disrepair - “I will make your views count”, he said.
“I'm touring the nation to spread positivity, optimism and good vibes.”
*For tickets to the The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour visit paddygower.co.nz
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