Mayor of Hamilton

The mayor is the leader of the council. Their job is to promote a vision for the city and lead the development of the council’s plans, policies and budget. The mayor appoints the deputy mayor, establishes committees for particular topics, and appoints chairs for those committees. This is a single transferable vote (STV) election, so you vote by ranking the candidates on your ballot paper. Compare the candidates and their policies to decide who to vote for in the Hamilton City Council mayoral election.

John McDonald

John McDonald

Why I'm standing

This is a critical time as a range of transformational changes are being imposed on society. Hamilton City Council has been implementing smart city technologies, focusing on managing people's behaviour, and creating huge amounts of intergenerational debt. This all needs to be stopped and reversed. I think the alternative is the simple city where we make the bureaucracy less complicated and less expensive, make infrastructure affordable and robust, respect people's rights, and practise prudent stewardship.

About me

I have a more traditional scientific background and strive for objectivity when assessing and analysing situations. I bring research skills and capabilities for critical thinking. I can handle large quantities of information. I can be fair, reasonable, practical, and use common sense, while bringing a willingness to strongly challenge government bureaucracy at multiple levels. I believe in leading by example instead of coercion, with a willingness to let others exercise their rights to self-determination.

My priorities
  1. Make infrastructure affordable, stop the city falling into a debt trap and limit rates increases.
  2. Reverse the smart city agenda and have council manage infrastructure, not manage people.
  3. Make people's interactions with council systems straightforward and simple with fair and clear rules.
Residence

Hamilton East

Age

38

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Why I'm standing

This is a critical time as a range of transformational changes are being imposed on society. Hamilton City Council has been implementing smart city technologies, focusing on managing people's behaviour, and creating huge amounts of intergenerational debt. This all needs to be stopped and reversed. I think the alternative is the simple city where we make the bureaucracy less complicated and less expensive, make infrastructure affordable and robust, respect people's rights, and practise prudent stewardship.

About me

I have a more traditional scientific background and strive for objectivity when assessing and analysing situations. I bring research skills and capabilities for critical thinking. I can handle large quantities of information. I can be fair, reasonable, practical, and use common sense, while bringing a willingness to strongly challenge government bureaucracy at multiple levels. I believe in leading by example instead of coercion, with a willingness to let others exercise their rights to self-determination.

My priorities
  1. Make infrastructure affordable, stop the city falling into a debt trap and limit rates increases.
  2. Reverse the smart city agenda and have council manage infrastructure, not manage people.
  3. Make people's interactions with council systems straightforward and simple with fair and clear rules.
Residence

Hamilton East

Age

38

Connect via