Waimakariri loses gender balance

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

Waimakariri’s council has lost its gender balance.

Three years ago Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon hailed the gender balance, when he was joined by five men and five women around the council table after the October 2019 election.

But when the mayor was sworn in for his second term last Thursday, October 27, he was joined by eight men and just two women.

The change of personnel follows the retirement of Kirstyn Barnett and Wendy Doody, while Sandra Stewart lost her seat in the election on October 8.

The trio have been replaced by three men - Jason Goldsworthy, Tim Fulton and Brent Cairns.

At 29, Goldsworthy, of Rangiora, is now the youngest councillor around the table.

He is fresh from a term on the Rangiora-Ashley Community Board.

The new councillor admits it will be tough juggling his new role around a young family, working at Rangiora New World and his volunteering.

‘‘It is particularly difficult for people in my demographic to get involved in local politics, juggling a mortgage, children and a career.

‘‘I will be having an interesting chat with my manager over the next few weeks.’’

Outside of work, Goldsworthy is married to Amber, has a 1-year-old daughter Manawa, is a firefighter with the Rangiora Volunteer Fire Brigade and a St John youth leader.

Tim Fulton was born and bred in the Oxford area and is a familiar face as a rural journalist.

‘‘I am representing a large rural ward and my goals will be focusing on land and water management and making sure we are preserving our natural assets.’’

He plans to ‘‘sit, look and listen’’ in the coming weeks as he becomes familiar with his new role.

‘‘I’m pleased I ran and it was great to get a result, but now is the time to establish those relationships.’’

Kaiapoi resident Cairns was elected to council after serving on the Kaiapoi-Woodend Community Board.

He is a familiar face in the community with his volunteer work, including playing an integral role in establishing the Kaiapoi Food Forest.

‘‘I look at the community groups that I am already involved with, so my time with the council over the next three years will be all about creating safer, connected communities and making this district a great place to live.’’

Cairns expects his new role will be a fast learning curve.

‘‘I am a joiner by trade, so I am a very practical person.

‘‘I will see an end goal and then I break it down and work out what I need to do.’’

■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.