All that effort, all those words, all the advertising, videos and social media posts and what do we have to show for it with a week to go?
A heavy truck from a new Leamington waste recycling plant makes its way through Cambridge CBD. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
When The News went to press, election returns were encouragingly up on the same time three years ago although there would have to be concerns at the low turnout in the Cambridge ward.
Perhaps voters are still confused by all the issues and all the candidates.
Aksel Bech – 2025
Tamahere-Woodlands’ return in the Waikato district – which includes Bruntwood, Mātangi and Tamahere in The News circulation area – was looking good which could be a sign hometown mayoral candidate Aksel Bech has a show against Jacqui Church.
But Hamilton was dragging the chain and hoping a Your Neighbourhood promotion in Garden Place where the public could meet the candidates and see what the council does in the community would help.
Hamilton City Council held an in Your Neighbourhood promotion to boost voting. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
There’s been no shortage of political drama in Waipā that should have sent voters rushing to the post box.
Take Roger Gordon’s notice of motion – supported by fellow Cambridge ward councillors Mike Pettit, Philip Coles and Liz Stolwyk – proposing a no-right-turn from Newcombe Rd into Tīrau Rd.
He withdrew the motion at the final council meeting after legal advice, including from Simpson Grierson, warned of significant risk to the council.
“If I’m re-elected, I’ll be back,” Gordon said. “I knocked my head against a brick wall but I will keep trying.”
Marcus Gower
Marcus Gower, chair of the Regulatory committee, didn’t get the chance to respond publicly at the time but later told The News that Gordon was trying to solve a problem that doesn’t yet exist – and risk committing the council to a costly judicial review.
“More importantly, we as councillors take an oath at the start of the triennium to make decisions in the best interests of the whole district,” Gower said.
He criticised Gordon for not consulting Karāpiro residents about increased traffic on Hydro Rd, nor the wider district about potential costs. He also accused Gordon of electioneering.
“We need to stop, take a breath and let due process prevail.”
Kane Titchener
Another issue that’s resurfaced is fluoride. Kane Titchener, elected unopposed in Pirongia-Kakepuku for the Te Awamutu-Kihikihi Community Board, is part of Fluoride Free NZ. Waipā was ordered by the Medical Officer of Health to add fluoride to Cambridge’s water supply.
The group polled all 48 Waipā candidates, asking whether they would support pressuring the government to return fluoridation decisions to local councils.
Those who responded “yes” were:
Charlotte FitzPatrick, Sharon Stirling, Ian Hayton, Roger Gordon, Lyn Hunt, Hope Spooner, Bernard Westerbaan, Don Sanders, Chris Minnee, Stewart Dromgool, Gerda Venter, Dean Taylor, Graeme Allen and Les Bennett.
“Nos” came from Marcus Gower, Shane Walsh, Andrew Myers and Clare St Pierre.
The other 30 candidates – including mayoral hopefuls Susan O’Regan and Mike Pettit – had not responded when The News went to press.
Belle PR and Charlotte FitzPatrick now support Mike Pettit having helped out Susan O’Regan three years ago.
Meanwhile, O’Regan stirred debate with a social media post stating she would not accept financial backing for her campaign thereby allowing her, she said, to make decisions free of influence and favour.
An anonymous repost on another channel claimed her post was misleading, pointing to a declared donation from three years ago.
Belle PR – owned by former Waipā District Council communications manager Charlotte FitzPatrick – donated $4800 worth of communications advice during the 2022 elections.
FitzPatrick, now running for the Cambridge Community Board and backing Mike Pettit for mayor, responded on the post.
“I donated time to her campaign three years ago under my business name. But to be very clear, I did not post this anonymous post. It’s disappointing to see local politics coming to this. It would be nice to see the focus and energy put into the future, the big issues we are facing, and how our council will lead Waipā into a more positive situation.”
Candidates’ electoral donations and expenses will be made available after the election. O’Regan was clearly front-footing the issue.
Campaign expenditure limits – $40,000 for mayoral candidates – apply for the three months from July 11 to election day, October 11.
Candidates must declare any donations of money, goods or services after the election. Volunteer labour, goods or services under $300, and candidates’ own money do not have to be declared.
Margaret Evans
Finally, former Hamilton mayor Margaret Evans has joined three others in making a Code of Conduct submission to the Local Government Commission prompted by city councillor Andrew Bydder’s expletive-laden rant towards O’Regan last year.
After an investigation costing more than $20,000, the city council found there was a material breach of the council’s Code of Conduct, censured Bydder and requested he apologise to O’Regan and to two disability organisations.
O’Regan and Hamilton mayor Paula Southgate, who lodged the conduct complaint against Bydder, both favour an independent arbiter.
Evans’ group has proposed a traditional oath or affirmation of office to allow mayors and councillors to be held accountable by colleagues and the public.
She had a simpler and less expensive option for the Bydder case though.
“If only Susan had invited Andrew in for a cup of tea! Or Paula had!”
Hamilton City Council hosted a Your Neighbourhood event in Garden Place on Saturday to get to know the mayoral and council candidates. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
