Susan O’Regan’s loss to Mike Pettit in the Waipā mayoralty clearly came as a shock, but a recent comment from her son Jack helped her see a silver lining.
Election Day 2025 – Susan O’Regan and husband John Hayward. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
“He said to me a while back, ‘Mum, I know that you want to win and I want you to win for you, but I want you to lose for me because I want my Mum back.’ So, I can say to him you’ve got your mum back,” Waipā’s first female and now only one-term mayor told The News on Saturday.
Just two hours earlier Waipā chief executive Steph O’Sullivan confirmed Pettit had been provisionally elected mayor. Last minute special votes were unlikely to change the outcome.
“This is not the outcome that I was seeking but I have utmost faith that the Waipā district will continue to lead the region, and we’ll see some really positive outcomes meted out as a result of the great decisions that have been made, not only by this council, but by councils before me.”
Susan O’Regan two hours after losing the mayoral election – Time to be a Mum. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Her campaign focused on being a mayor for the whole district, while Pettit drew heavily on his Cambridge connections. He becomes the first mayor from the eastern side of Waipā for 24 years, following the late John Hewitt (1995-2001).
“I’ve always been clear that we can’t afford parochialism. We need to stop thinking short term, stop thinking about the smaller issues and think about bigger, long-term strategic issues,” said O’Regan.
“One message from this election is that people may not fully understand the importance of that kind of thinking.”
O’Regan expressed disappointment at the loss of three strong female leaders: Matamata-Piako’s Adrienne Wilcock, Waikato District’s Jacqui Church, and Waikato Regional Council chair Pamela Storey. She also lamented Waipā’s rejection of Māori wards.
Family affair 2022: Susan O’Regan and family at her swearing in, from left: Lily, George, Jack, husband John Hayward, Emily and Ben. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
“While I respect the voting public, I’m concerned that with such a low voter turnout we’re being swayed by small minority groups focused on short-term issues. That concerns me as a person who’s always wanted to think long-term.”
She declined to speculate on whether Pirongia’s Clare St Pierre split her vote.
“People vote where they find resonance – with a candidate’s story or promises. I believed people would value consistency, experience, and proven leadership over the alternative.”
At her Judge Valley farm home, the lounge was filled with family, friends and supporters. Son Ben surprised her by flying in from Queensland and husband John Hayward had the barbecue going with two joints of beef sizzling.
“When I invited everyone today, it was either going to be a re-election celebration or a freedom celebration,” she said.
“I’ve made no secret of the toll that this role has taken on me and my family, but I’ve learned a lot. I still love this district and am completely committed to its people.”
She smiled as she recalled tidying her office earlier in the week.
“I was actually a little bit excited about the prospect of not having to come back.”
O’Regan will continue in roles not tied to the mayoralty, including as a Crown appointee on the Waikato River Authority and a board member of Sport Waikato. First, though, she plans to take a holiday.
“I’m looking forward to being with my family – being a mum and being Jack’s mum again.
“I’ve done the best job I could in really trying circumstances. I’m proud of my legacy. I know there are changes from this term that will echo into the future, and I feel privileged to have been part of that.”
Susan O’Regan on Tuesday with Local Government Minister Simon Watts at the Beehive with Nick Smith and Campbell Barry as part of the Electoral Reform Working Group. Photo: Supplied
