West Coast Regional candidates strut stuff
A smattering of West Coast Regional councillors and a newcomer trying for a seat in Westland fronted a 'meet the candidates' forum in Hokitika on Wednesday night.
Sitting councillors Debra Magner and Stuart Challenger took to the stage along with Peter Haddock of Greymouth, who is throwing his hat in the ring for Westland.
Magner promoted her farming and accounting background and said she hoped to build on her first term's work if re-elected.
This had included a push to bring about better internal reporting systems at the West Coast Regional Council -- including a Risk and Assurance Committee which she has chaired.
This was important for the council to sustainably manage its environmental oversight responsibility on a "path of continuous improvement," to be able to respond to community need and have the capacity to gain and retain external funding for infrastructure projects.
Peter Haddock, a retiring Grey district councillor of South Beach, is a partner in Greymouth engineering firm Equip.
He noted his role in building the Greymouth floodwall in the late 1980s.
Haddock said the regional council currently had "real problems" with a faction across the ward boundaries of Westland and Grey.
Loss of experienced staff and delays in consenting impacted on the council's ability to administer Government funding, which affected the rating districts.
This "loss of unity" sent a bad signal to the Government.
He would focus on this and at the same time "fight for local democracy".
Challenger, an environmental engineer, said he hoped to continue as the need for diverse representation at the table was no different from when he first stood in 2013.
The council needed diverse backgrounds like his to balance the mining, and dairy farming influence.
"I believe the regional council has too many meetings behind closed doors."
The biggest issue the region faced was the impact of climate change which required wider collaboration and "a multi-generational approach".
Two other candidates for Westland, Andrew Campbell and Fritha Templeton, were not present.
Templeton said on Friday she intended to withdraw due to family circumstances.
Council deputy electoral officer Nichola Costley said today the voting papers had been printed, and Templeton had been advised to run a campaign letting people know she was out of the running.
Wednesday night's forum included the five candidates for the Westland District Mayoralty plus several ward candidates for the Westland District Council.
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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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64.2% Yes
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33.2% No
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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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