Waitaki District Council
The Waitaki 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 ten councillors and the mayor. Councillors are elected to represent wards (areas in the district). six councillors will be elected from the Ōamaru 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 Waitaki District Council election.
Waitaki District Council candidates
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Jim Hopkins
Why I'm standing
I'm running because we're entering a period of major change in local government which will need analytical skills and lateral thinking to navigate. It's an existential challenge with lots of people saying the system's broken. If so, then it must be repaired or replaced and maybe both. Smaller councils like ours are particularly vulnerable, especially with the Local Water Done Well reforms creating major structural changes and ensuring effective operational survival will be a challenge.
About me
I always find this a hard question to answer. Rather than blowing my own trumpet, which is what I feel this involves, I'll let my record speak for itself. I have served on two councils for more than 20 years so I'm experienced, familiar with legislation and understand how the sector works. I believe a councillor's job is to analyse, advocate, innovate, collaborate and challenge. Which is what I've done and will continue to do.
My priorities
- Ensure the survival of the council as an effective and positive local force in a time of change.
- Make affordability the top priority through self-imposed restraint or by dealing with rates caps.
- Engage effectively with the community on the inevitable funding challenges faced and new options.
Get across the policies, candidates and parties
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