Hastings District Council
The Hastings District Council provides local services and facilities, such as public transport, rubbish and recycling, libraries, parks, and recreation facilities. It also makes decisions about building and planning, local regulations, and infrastructure, such as water supply and sewerage. The council is made up of 15 councillors and the mayor. Councillors are elected to represent wards (areas in the district). seven councillors will be elected from the Hastings-Havelock North ward. This is a first past the post (FPP) election, so you vote by ticking the name of your preferred candidate on your ballot paper. Compare the candidates and their policies to decide who to vote for in the Hastings District Council election.
Hastings District Council candidates
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Bernard Hickey
Independent
Steve Gibson
Keeping rate rises to inflation (CPI)
Callum Ross
Independent
Michael Fowler
Independent
Rizwaana (Riz) Latiff
Independent
Simon J H Nixon
Independent
Sayeed Ahmed
Nick Ratcliffe
Lucie-Jane McElwee
Fair rate rises = inflation rate
Jacqueline Supra
Darrin Wilson
Kevin Watkins
Yvonne Lorkin
Your Eyes, Ears and Energy in Council
Gareth (Gus) Freeman
Keeping rate rises to inflation (CPI)
Debbie Ward
Listen. Learn. Advocate.
Rion Roben
John Bennett
Yvonne Lorkin
Why I'm standing
Hastings is my home, I grew up here and I'm ready to fight for its future. I'm enormously proud of Hastings and I want Hastings to be proud of me.
About me
Self-employed since 22, and co-founder of a Deloitte Fast50 company, I know how to be prudent yet creative to drive results, but my real driver is service. My governance, advocacy and voluntary roles encompass the Civil Defence Emergency Response team, women's health charity Rose Gold Trust, Screen Hawke's Bay and St John Therapy Pets. I'm prioritising smart fiscal leadership by tackling debt without crushing ratepayers and promoting safer, healthier communities.
My priorities
- Learn and understand everything possible about the financial position and debt load of the council.
- Immediately investigate smarter ways to make the district more profitable and lower the rates burden.
- Collaborate on a night shelter for the growing numbers of people sleeping on the streets.
Get across the policies, candidates and parties
Don’t know who to vote for? Policy.nz is the complete guide to the 2025 local elections. Compare the candidates and policies to see where you stand.
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