Waipā district mayoral candidates were governed by a red squeaky toy at a meeting last Thursday.
And for the second time in a row, sitting mayor Susan O’Regan topped an informal poll.
Te Awamutu Business Chamber chief executive Shane Walsh with, from left, Clare St Pierre, Susan O’Regan and Mike Pettit. Photo: Jesse Wood
Te Awamutu Business Chamber hosted the meet the candidates event at the Birchell pavilion on Gorst St, chaired by chief executive – and council candidate – Shane Walsh.
Mike Pettit, Susan O’Regan and Clare St Pierre were given the opportunity to introduce themselves a strict three-minute slot.
Chamber administrator and timekeeper Fran Jones alerted the candidates when they had 30 seconds left, and when their time was up, with the squeeze of a squeaky toy.
Cambridge-based Pettit comes from an education background and has been on the council since 2019.
He hopes to create more connection between the council and community if he is elected mayor.
“My parents told me, God gave you two ears and one mouth,” Pettit said. “You’re supposed to listen twice as much as you talk, and I’ve taken that through my leadership journey.”
Te Rore-raised Clare St Pierre said she wants a council that is better at doing the basics.
Coming from a finance background and from a family of 11, St Pierre has been part of and founded many groups in the Waipā.
She has been on the council for 12 years and is passionate about the environment.
“We have turned our Pirongia section into a food forest and follow a sustainable lifestyle as much as possible,” St Pierre said.
“I’m the founding member Pirongia Te Aroaro o Kahu Restoration Society, which I chaired for 20 years, and also ecological corridor project linking Maungatautari to Pirongia which covers 35 per cent of Waipā’s land area with over 100 landowners actively involved.
“Community service is part of your DNA when you come from a rural community.”
Local Choice
Incumbent mayor O’Regan’s family roots in the Waipā stretch back more than 100 years.
Waipā’s first female mayor is a lawyer and joined the council in 2016.
“We want this district to be a place where it’s fulfilling for everybody, no matter what the life stage and age,” O’Regan said.
“Have I always got it right? No. But I’ve always fronted up, always listened and work really hard to improve.
“Good leadership is not about easy answers or most popular catch phrase – it’s about integrity, courage and lots of hard work.”
Following the introduction speeches, Walsh put seven questions to the trio.
They all had a chance to answer each question within two minutes, based on what they would do if elected mayor.
The questions included how they would address the district’s debt, the discontent in Kihikihi regarding speed bumps, cul-de-sacs and cycleways, their views on support community boards, the Holmes Garage community space project, the disconnect between the council and ratepayers, a main street bypass for Te Awamutu and what their leadership style was.
To close the meeting, the floor was opened for people to ask questions of the candidates.
Te Awamutu iSite general manager Harriet Dixon expressed her concerns about the funding cut for the visitor centre.
Others asked questions about the debt – a big public concern.
Unofficial mayoral voting slips were handed out. Votes counted from the meeting were 17 in favour of O’Regan, St Pierre 10 and Pettit nine.
At a similar meeting held in Cambridge, O’Regan topped the poll followed by Pettit and St Pierre.
