Local Choice
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23 July 11am
Pamela Storey
Waikato Regional Council is back as a member of Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) after chair Pamela Storey used her casting vote to reverse a decision to leave made last month.
A motion to renew the council’s $80,375.55 LGNZ subscription for the new financial year was lost then in a narrow 5-6 vote with one abstention.
Eight councillors signed the notice of motion to reverse the decision but one of them – veteran Waikato constituency member Noel Smith – said he had changed his mind and now believed the council should leave LGNZ. It resulted in a 7-7 vote.
Noel Smith
LGNZ is the nationwide representative body for local authorities. It operates as an incorporated society and advocates for local government interests.
It supports councils through policy advocacy, sector-wide collaboration, and the provision of tools and training to uplift governance and performance.
For: Bruce Clarkson, Kataraina Hodge, Stu Kneebone, Tipa Mahuta, Jennifer Nickel, Pamela Storey, Angela Strange.
Against: Robbie Cookson, Mich’eal Downard, Ben Dunbar-Smith, Clyde Graf, Chris Hughes, Warren Maher, Noel Smith.
23 July 2025 9am
With just over a week remaining before nominations close for the local body elections, returning officers are growing concerned about a potential shortage of candidates.
Andrew Bydder – out
This comes despite recent reversals from three high-profile elected members: Waikato regional councillor Clyde Graf, Hamilton city councillor Andrew Bydder, and Te Awamutu-Kihikihi Community Board member Kane Titchener.
Graf and Titchener, who had previously told The News they would not restand, have now submitted their nominations.
Meanwhile, Bydder has opted not to stand in Cambridge, despite earlier indicating he would contest seats there and in Hamilton.
Gaylene Kanawa and Helen Williams, representing the Waikato and Ōtorohanga districts respectively, warned that a by-election – costing approximately $15,000 – would be required if there are insufficient candidates.
Clyde Graf
In Waikato’s Tamahere-Woodlands ward, there are no issues so far, with two nominations received at press time: incumbent Crystal Beavis and newcomer Gurpreet Bassan, filling the two available council seats.
However, in Waipā, only two nominations have been received for the Cambridge and Te Awamutu-Kihikihi community boards.
In Te Awamutu, the worst kept secret was confirmed on Monday in Te Awamutu when veteran councillor Lou Brown lodged his nomination.
Rumours that Clare St Pierre would withdraw from the mayoral race were dispelled when she submitted her nomination.
Stu Kneebone
St Pierre is also standing for one of two vacancies in the Pirongia and Kakepuku ward.
Ōtorohanga District Council had only four confirmed candidates for 18 council and community board seats.
Business enablement manager Graham Bunn said nominations were down on the same time last election.
“There are a number of people who said they are standing who haven’t put nominations in yet. A lot of candidates leave it to the last week, so it’s really hard to say where we will end up.”
Graf’s decision to restand follows three controversial council decisions: voting against returning a $2.5 million surplus to ratepayers, shifting from co-management to co-governance, and withdrawing from Local Government New Zealand.
Liz Stolwyk during a Waipā District Council meeting. Photo: Benjamin Wilson
A notice of motion to reverse the latter was scheduled for consideration today, after The News went to press.
Long time fellow Waipā-King Country representative Stu Kneebone has submitted his nomination, but as of Tuesday, Waipā deputy mayor Liz Stolwyk had not.
Meanwhile pre-election reports completed by chief executives for candidates in Waikato region, Waikato, Ōtorohanga, Waitomo and Waipā paint a challenging picture one that may discourage potential candidates from standing.
Local Choice
