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Keeping You Informed If elected Mayor, I’ll reinstate monthly councillor reports so that every elected member has the opportunity to share the work they’ve been doing on behalf of our communities. It’s a simple but important step in building trust and ensuring we’re all accountable for the roles we take on. Please also see my 2025 election campaign posts - click here and my series on rates - The Rates Series 2025 In the meantime, I’ve been posting monthly round-ups on Facebook throughout my term — not just at election time. You’ll find copies of those updates here, so you can see the work I’ve been doing to represent you. |
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27 January 2025 What follows is my personal opinion only. The conversation around amalgamation—merging councils like Waitomo and Otorohanga—has surfaced again, and while it’s worth considering the potential benefits in the future, now is not the time to pursue it. Yes, amalgamation could bring logical cost savings across districts. However, these savings are speculative at this point. No concrete analysis or planning has been undertaken to quantify them. Meanwhile, our council staff are already carrying an enormous workload, navigating the challenges of Central Government’s shifting policies, major weather events, and the ongoing demands of providing essential services to our communities. Let me provide some context on the challenges we’ve been facing: Three Waters: A Constantly Moving Target
Infrastructure Pressures Roading Challenges Cyclones Dovi, Hale and Gabrielle, along with winter storms, wreaked havoc on rural roads, creating extensive repair needs. At the same time, efforts to implement a speed management plan were upended by legislative reversals, turning what should have been a straightforward process into a bureaucratic maze. Financial and Administrative Strains Our Finance Team has had to create two separate financial models for the Long-Term Plan—one with Three Waters assets removed and one with them included—while also managing endless calculations and adjustments on all the other ongoing projects. Our CEO is juggling all of this alongside the usual demands of running the council. What Comes Next? We are required to prepare a water delivery plan, in addition to our annual plan and other ongoing work. Through it all, there is constant pressure to keep rates as low as possible. While the potential benefits of amalgamation remain unclear, one thing is certain: our council will look very different once the future of our drinking and wastewater services is resolved. It would be unwise and unfair to burden an already overstretched team with the additional workload of exploring amalgamation at this time. Let’s focus on addressing the considerable challenges already on our table. Once we’ve navigated these, we can revisit the conversation about amalgamation with a clearer picture and a more stable foundation. For now, let’s press pause. |
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4 March 2025 February was a busy month with council meetings, workshops, and community events. Here’s what I’ve been working on for you: Audit & Risk Committee (Feb 4) We had our first Audit & Risk meeting of the year, with a full committee present. A key focus for me was the progress we’re making on risk management with the help of AON. This has been a concern of mine for the last two years, so I’m pleased to see improvements. Our independent chair, Jaydene Kana, provides fantastic insights from national forums, keeping us informed on best practices. You can find the meeting pack and recording here: https://www.waitomo.govt.nz/.../audit-and-risk-committee/
After the meeting, we moved into a workshop on the Annual Plan (2025-26) financial forecasts. This builds on work started in December, and it was great to have all councillors present. Workshops allow us to discuss issues informally before decisions are made. While workshops weren’t open to the public in the past, we changed that last year—agendas are now available here: https://www.waitomo.govt.nz/.../2025-workshop-order-papers/
That evening, I attended the Waitomo Caves Museum Society meeting, where we looked ahead following the recruitment process in December. Workshops & Community Engagement (Feb 18) Another Annual Plan workshop took place, along with a briefing on the Review of the Dog Control Bylaw. This helped councillors get a full understanding of the issues before the formal council meeting on Feb 25. If you watched that meeting and wondered why there were no questions—this is why! That evening I also attended a community discussion on art opportunities in Waitomo Caves Village. We were lucky to have Rebecca Dowman-Ngapo share insights on the work being done in Ōtorohanga through the Creative Conduit initiative https://www.facebook.com/OtorohangaCreativeConduit —lots of great ideas to follow up on! I’m a strong believer in the power of arts and crafts for well-being and connection. This month, I attended my first Fibre Craft group with the Waitomo Society of Arts and loved it! They offer a range of activities, including patchwork, painting, pottery, bookmaking, and scrapbooking. If you’re interested, check out their latest newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/93ca26e143fb/waitomo-society-of-arts-march-2025-newsletter?e=[UNIQID] Council Meeting & Community Concerns (Feb 25) It was great to have full attendance at this meeting, where we received a petition from Te Kuiti residents asking for action on dangerous driving and excessive noise and nuisance from cars and motorbikes. As a rural councillor, I don’t stay in town, but I’ve heard the frustration from residents loud and clear. It’s heartbreaking to hear how this is impacting people—especially a young woman whose excitement about buying her first home has been ruined by this ongoing issue.
I’m extremely disappointed in the lack of police response. When we met with Area Commander Will Loughrin and Sergeant Gary Anderson in November, they assured us there would be more police presence. Yet, this issue continues. While council staff are looking into structural solutions like judder bars, Mayor John is following up with police. I agree with the submitters - we need action, not just words.
What’s even more frustrating? When there’s a possible sighting of the Phillips family in Marokopa, police deploy multiple cars immediately. Yet, they can’t seem to find the resources to deal with this ongoing issue in Te Kuiti. I completely understand why residents are frustrated and angry. The meeting recording and agenda papers are available here: https://www.waitomo.govt.nz/.../2025-agenda-and-minutes/ LGNZ Meetings in Wellington (Feb 27-28) I attended the Local Government NZ (LGNZ) “All-of-Local-Government” Meeting and the "Rural & Provincial Sector" Meeting on behalf of our council. These are invaluable opportunities to learn from other councils and hear directly from Ministers on key issues.
If you’re interested, you can read their speeches here: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/.../speech-lgnz-all-local... https://www.beehive.govt.nz/.../speech-lgnz-metro-rural... https://www.beehive.govt.nz/.../going-housing-growth-new... and further information here https://www.beehive.govt.nz/.../going-housing-growth-new... I’ll be sharing detailed notes of all the presentations with councillors and the Mayor—message me if you’d like a copy! Final Note – Wellington Airport Express Bus
As a member of the Waikato Regional Transport Committee, I support public transport where possible. While in Wellington, I used the Airport Express bus, which I highly recommend! It’s only $8.76 with a Snapper card (or $11 without one) and can be much faster than a taxi thanks to the dedicated bus tunnel. If you’re flying into Wellington, it’s worth considering!
That’s a Wrap for February!
Thanks for reading, and as always, feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns. I’m here to represent you!
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2 April 2025 March 2025 Update
What a month March was!! The wonderful weather held for the Waitomo Sports Day and the Muster with both having record crowds. The days are now getting shorter and a touch of autumn is in the air – fingers crossed for some much needed (hopefully gentle rain).
To all of those who care deeply about our community please think about standing for Council – nominations open on 1 July this year – council will be holding some information sessions prior to that – please come along and have a listen even if you might be thinking about it in the future please come along.
Here is a quick round up of my activities on your behalf during March.
Monday 3 March 2025
Met with a new member of our community – who had asked to have a coffee as she wanted to understand the issues in the ward – it was a pleasure meeting you and welcome to the community. Great to have people who want to contribute to our community for the betterment of everyone.
In the afternoon Mayor John Robertson, Deputy Mayor Allan Goddard and councillors Janene New, Gavin Todd and I met with Sam Broughton the current president of Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) and Scott Necklen the Deputy CEO. Susan Freeman-Greene the LGNZ CEO was unable to attend as she was delivering an oral submission to the Justice Committee at Parliament on stalking legislation – something that has been quite an issue for councillors in some districts.
LGNZ is the membership organisation for elected members that represents the interests of regional, city and district councils in New Zealand. I believe we receive good value for money for our membership – every four months we receive a summary of activities undertaken on behalf – including submissions, education, conferences, meetings, online training, guides, facilitation of the Mayor’s Taskforce for Jobs scheme, webinars and advocacy as well as regular meetings with the Prime Minister. LGNZ act as the collective voice for elected members. The latest four monthly summary of activities ran to 20 pages. They also have some great information for anyone thinking about standing for council – their website can be found here https://www.lgnz.co.nz/
My own notes from February’s two day LGNZ conference in Wellington ran to 26 pages and those from the Zone two meeting at the end of March to 9 pages. As I was the only councillor from Waitomo District at both these meetings I’ve shared my notes with my colleagues.
At one meeting I heard of a council where councillors come in and do two hours of online learning on the LGNZ Akona site together – answering the questions on their own screens and then discussing it – I think this is a great idea.
Tuesday 4 March
In the evening, I attended the Waitomo Caves Museum Society monthly meeting as the Waitomo District Council representative. The museum is also the provider of the only public toilets in Waitomo Caves Village on behalf of council. This is done through a Service Level Agreement for an agreed fee.
I was extremely disappointed that the Museum was broken into later in the month and, also very disappointed when the Sports Day Committee discovered that someone had destroyed three of the four toilet bowls in the toilets on the Domain used for the Sports Day. Why???? What were you looking to achieve???
I was glad of a bit of downtime for the rest of the week to write up some notes from the LGNZ conference, write up some papers for the Waitomo Energy Services Customer Trust (WESCT Meeting) and read meeting packs for the next week’s meetings as well as do some preparation for my own Briar Patch online business before the winter wool festival / knitting season.
Monday 10 March
Attended the Waikato Regional Council Regional Transport Committee meeting in Hamilton – carpooling with Councillor Rodney Dow from the Otorohanga District Council. The papers and recording of the meeting can be found here https://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/.../regional.../...
If anyone is particularly interested, I’m happy to send a copy of the summary notes I wrote for my colleagues.
Tuesday 11 March We had full attendance at our final council workshop on the Annual Plan – I thought the 200-page meeting pack was heavy going until we ended up with one with nearly 500 pages for the end of month Council meeting!!
A reminder that Council Workshops are open to the public and the agendas are published online https://www.waitomo.govt.nz/.../2025-workshop-order-papers/ however some items may be public excluded – for example work on the Annual Plan budgets – this only gets released once it has been fully discussed and Council has agreed on what should be included in the consultation documents. The final Annual Plan is not approved until all public feedback has been received and deliberated on.
Wednesday 12 March
The Waikato Regional Council host a Community Transport Symposium every three years – with the first having been in 2019. This year it was held at the Jet Park Hotel and the room was packed – the atmosphere was fantastic. Happy to share my notes if anyone wants them.
Community Transport services are those where volunteers can pick you up from home and take you to where you need to go for a donation/koha. This could be hospital appointments, shopping, social activities or any other trip that you wouldn’t be able to make otherwise or any reason – eg aren’t able to drive, don’t have a car, aren’t able to afford the fuel.
In the Waitomo District we have two Community Transport providers – Te Kuiti 4H Community Trust Board (bookings can be made through the Te Kuiti Community House) and Ngati Maniapoto Pact Trust – Maniapoto Community Services. In Otorohanga Community Transport providers are the Otorohanga Community House Whare Awhina and Hato Hone St John Otorohanga Waka Ora Health Shuttle.
All of these providers receive between $4,500 and $10,000 of funding from the $300,000 Waikato Regional Council Community Transport Grant Fund. The fund was oversubscribed in 2024/25 however Waikato Regional Council are proposing to increase this fund to $500,000 for the 2025/26 year.
Monday 17 March
Community rather than council related, I attended the quarterly Maru Energy Trust Meeting. This is a wonderful charitable organisation that utilises 80-90% government funding to provide free home insulation and heat pumps to eligible homeowners within the district that The Lines Company serves. Otorohanga, Ruapehu and Waitomo District Councils have a combined representative on the Trust – Mayor Weston Kirton of Ruapehu District. If you own and live in a home which is un-insulated please get in touch to see if you are eligible – phone 0800 808 901 or email hello@maru.org.nz. More information can be found on the website at www.maruenergytrust.org.nz
Tuesday 18 March
In the evening, I attended a Waitomo Sister City Committee meeting ahead of our exchange students arriving the following week.
Wednesday 19 March
Not council but community – attended the monthly Waitomo Energy Services Customer Trust (WESCT) meeting for which I’d written a couple of the meeting papers.
Friday 21 March
Attended the Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) Zone 2 (Waikato and Bay of Plenty Area) Meeting held at Te Aroha. Another great day with a room full of engaged and interesting elected members from across the district. There were some fantastic and thought-provoking presentations – which I wrote up notes on for my colleagues.
Saturday 22 March Straight into the Waitomo Caves Sports Day the next day. I’ve forgotten how many years I’ve been doing the raffles for – maybe ten maybe more? My husband Kim is very involved with the chopping. He and other volunteers spend several days in the couple of months leading up to the sports gathering willow and poplar logs, cutting them into blocks and peeling the blocks ready for the axemen to chop on the day. It is always such a busy day that flies by and everyone involved gets such a buzz seeing so many families enjoying themselves. This year we had the added excitement of hosting one of the NZ vs Wales Shearing Tests. Thank you to all on the committee, all the volunteers and the sponsors who make this day possible. It was great to see fellow councillors Gavin Todd and Rodney Dow (Otorohanga) also there doing the mahi – Gavin with the Piopio Lions food caravan and Rodney with his very generous long-standing sponsorship through Otorohanga Transport (OTL) getting the sheep there and back for the shearing. Tuesday 25 March We had our monthly Council Meeting – the agenda papers and recording can be found here. https://www.waitomo.govt.nz/.../2025-agenda-and-minutes/ . The rules for how council meetings are to be held are set out in a document called “Standing Orders” which can be found on the policies page here https://www.waitomo.govt.nz/council/publications/policy Standing Orders outline how a member of the public or group can arrange to speak / present at a meeting – this needs to be arranged in advance. Under the rules councillors are not supposed to acknowledge or address any member of the public that may arrive during the meeting. This can feel quite unnatural and rude for some elected members including myself – so please don’t take this personally if you come to observe a meeting if we are not able to greet you once the meeting has started. Wednesday 26 March We had the pleasure of officially welcoming our manuhiri/visitors/guests from our Sister City Tatsuno, Japan to council chambers for a kiwi themed morning tea where official gifts were exchanged between the visiting delegation and our Mayor. Always such a pleasure to meet the students. Our outbound delegation of Waitomo students will head to Japan later this year.
In the evening (at my own expense) I attended an Institute of Directors invitation only presentation (for Chartered and Fellow Directors) in Auckland. The presenter was Jennifer Garvey Berger and it was titled High Performing Chairs. It was a brilliant interactive session exploring five “mind traps” that can limit our ability to learn and hear what is being said. It was great to catch up with some of the other directors and chairs connected to the Waikato including two connected with the Waitomo District. I came away with a new book to explore and a spark which reminded me why my first Commerce Degree Major was in Management – happy and productive workplaces were always and still are a passion of mine.
I was sorry to have missed the Muster this year along with the Shearing but see that it was an outstanding success – so well done and thank you to everyone from Council, the Shearing Committee and the many, many volunteers who made Te Kuiti such a vibrant place last weekend.
As you will see from my other posts and on the Waitomo District Council website and facebook pages – consultation documents on the Annual Plan and also on Water Delivery Options are now available – please have a read and let us have your feedback.
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9 April 2025
Another step forward for wool today!
Glad to see wool in government buildings finally taking some tangible steps forward. I was a member of the previous government’s Wool Summit and the subsequent Wool Working Group. We all volunteered large blocks of time for meeting after meeting all around the country and just got nowhere with real support from the politicians who can make directives like this. Great to see it happening now.
Increased demand should flow through to increased prices received by farmers. Any increase in the price that farmers receive for wool is straight to the bottom line - all other costs have to be incurred for animal health anyway. This is great news for the Waitomo District we have over 800 sheep and beef farms in the district as well as being the shearing capital of the world - more money flowing into our economy for wool is a very good thing for everyone in the district.
Link to the Article from the Post - Click Here |
 3 May 2025
 April 2025 Update.April has been my quietest month on Council since being elected in October 2022. With a pause in meetings and my husband Kim now fully recovered after 10 months of injury, we took the chance to recharge with a two-week holiday in beautiful Northland.
While there, we were hugely impressed—once again—by the work of Northland Inc, the region’s Economic Development Agency. There’s so much we could learn from their low-cost, high-impact initiatives that could be applied right here in Waitomo.
One area I remain deeply concerned about is the lack of regional tourism promotion. Since Council cut funding to Hamilton Waikato Tourism (HWT), they no longer promote our district. This was a decision I strongly opposed.
 Waitomo Caves – Our District’s JewelThe Waitomo Caves area is not just a stunning destination—it’s the heart of our local tourism economy. The many different independent cave operations support inter-generational family businesses, attract new residents, and boost accommodation, hospitality, food, and retail.
Beyond tourism, the main Glowworm Caves hold immense cultural and historical significance. They were the first Waitangi Tribunal Settlement under the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975. https://teara.govt.nz/.../nga-whakataunga-tiriti.../page-3
The remarkable Kuia Josephine Anderson (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Whanaunga), who led WAI 51, was last year made a Companion of the King’s Service Order for her services to Māori. https://www.teaonews.co.nz/.../tohu-a-te-kingi-2024.../
The caves are jointly owned by the Ruapuha Uekaha Hapū Trust (3 acres) and the Department of Conservation (1 acre), with operations leased to Tourism Holdings Limited (THL), who also run key businesses like the Homestead and Black Water Rafting, employing around 200 people locally.
 By the Numbers
Overseas tourists—especially those with stronger currencies—are keen to spend on quality, sustainable, NZ-made products. Their spending power supports local innovation and helps keep our artisan industries alive.
 The Challenge and OpportunityWe need to do more to get visitors from Waitomo to turn right at Hangatiki and spend time (and money!) in Te Kūiti. That requires vision, coordination, and support—something I hope a new Council can deliver after the upcoming elections.
 Tourism Funding – A Lost Opportunity?At our 29 April 2025 meeting (watch from ~33 minutes), we heard that $30,000 was still in this year’s budget for HWT, on the condition that local operators matched the shortfall left by the $42k funding cut. Unfortunately, agreement wasn’t reached, and that $30k remains unspent—with no future budget allocation.
This is worrying. Last year, experienced operators warned that dropping tourism promotion would damage our district’s visibility and economy—and it seems their fears are being realised.
 Someone recently told me:“I used to think Waitomo was the only place in NZ with glowworms, but now my phone is showing me Northland, West Coast, Fiordland…”
We know our glowworms are the best. But will other regions beat us on promotion?
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 22 May 2025
 What’s the future of the Te Kūiti Holiday Park? On May 13th, councillors had a workshop to look at the future of our three holiday parks. For the Te Kūiti Holiday Park, we were shown three options:
A) Keep things as they are
B) Disestablish the holiday park and relocate the facilities to another site
C) Increase use of the facilities by developing the use of tent sites
But here’s the thing — in my nearly three years as a councillor, I had never seen the original long-term vision for this park. The current gravel pit setup was only ever meant to be temporary, mostly funded by central government in 2018.
The full site is actually 2.3 hectares — and there was once a beautiful, park-like concept plan with 33 motorhome sites, 38 caravan/tent sites, and cabins, designed to complement Brook Park. That plan was discussed back in 2015, in publicly excluded papers and haven’t been shared with the current Council.
I am not allowed to share publicly excluded papers - but the concept plan is stunning - a welcoming place to stay for a few days.
In 2015, Council even bought a house at 47 Te Kumi Road to one day be used as a holiday park manager’s home.
Why does this matter?
 There are over 117,000 NZ Motor Caravan members, 3,000 Te Araroa Trail walkers every year, plus countless motorhome tourists. These people bring outside dollars into our community — supporting local shops, cafes, petrol stations, clubs and more. As sheep and beef farms are being converted to forestry, we’re seeing real changes to our rural economy. We need smart, future-focused ideas to keep our towns thriving. I believe my job as a councillor is to represent YOUR views.Should we be keeping the original long-term holiday park vision alive as an option for the future?
Please share your thoughts in the comments
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5 June 2025 May has been a busy and rewarding month across council, governance, and community spaces. Here’s a snapshot of what I’ve been up to:
7–9 May -WESCT Energy Sector Conference, Wellington
As a trustee of Waitomo Energy Services Customer Trust (not council – but community), I attended the national Autumn Energy Trusts NZ conference. It’s always insightful, especially with the similarities that will occur in water regulation once water comes under the Commerce Commission economic regulation. The government agencies all spoke about an increased focus on consumers this year – which was great to hear – hoping it translates into real outcomes.
13 May – Audit & Risk Meeting + Elections Briefing
Attended the Council Audit & Risk Committee alongside the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor Todd. Great to see progress on risk management using the ISO 31000 framework.
Later, we had a useful briefing from Electionz on election rules – a public info session is scheduled for 10 July for anyone thinking of standing!
13 May – Appointments Committee & Workshop
We began the process for appointing a new director to Inframax Construction Ltd.
Followed by a council workshop discussing the Te Nehenehenui Joint Management Agreement schedules and a review of our Holiday Parks. These workshops are public but not recorded or livestreamed. Papers are available on request if you're interested.
14 May – Annual Plan Verbal Submissions
This was the hearing day for submissions on the Draft Annual Plan 2025/26, Fees & Charges, Water Services and Alcohol Fees Bylaw.
Thanks to everyone who submitted – it’s important we hear your voices.
The way this public consultation process works is that while all submissions must be in writing people also have the opportunity to make a verbal submission. These verbal submissions are heard by the council and questions of clarification can be asked of the submitter.
Councillors also receive all of the written submissions for reading prior to this hearing. They are also publicly available (with personal details removed).
Staff will then compile separate Summary and Commentary on Submission documents for each of the topics – this includes analysis of the points which have been raised. Councillors read all this information and consider the views raised and the staff analysis. This is now available on the council website.
The next step is the council meets to deliberate on the submissions and the staff papers and decide if there are to be any changes to the draft Annual Plan or other documents.
A resolution is then raised to make these changes or to delegate the CE to make the changes. This deliberation meeting is to occur on Tuesday 10 June 2025 and is public - livestreamed and recorded.
The final annual plan (and other documents) will come back to the Council meeting on 30 June for adoption.
20 May – Landfill Meeting & Sister City Final Planning
A verbal submission on the landfill led to an unscheduled meeting to explore options (all councillors attended except those on leave).
That evening, I joined the Waitomo Sister City Committee – finalising plans for our students’ trip to Tatsuno, Japan. Huge thanks to the volunteers who make this possible, and travel at their own expense!
23 May – LGNZ Zone 2 Meeting, Te Aroha
Attended the Local Government NZ update alongside members from Waikato and BOP. Excellent insights from Waka Kotahi, DIA, Civil Defence and updates on Resource Management Reforms (see the photo) and more. These sessions are valuable and I hope more elected members will attend in future. Thanks to Otorohanga elected members and their CE for adopting me on their table over the past three years.
27 May – Council Meeting & Workshop
Attended a full-day Council meeting with a different structure than usual. A resolution was passed to close the Te Kuiti Holiday Park in the Mayors report rather than having an accompanying staff paper with risk analysis.
I was concerned by the rushed process (one week from the workshop to the proposed resolution) and lack of accessible information. I voted against the resolution – not because of the decision itself, but because I felt councillors didn’t have the details or time to consider community feedback.
The resolution to close the Te Kuiti Holiday Park was passed four to one (with the two other councillors being on leave).
On a positive note, rural kerbside collection services (which are self-funded) will continue following community input.
Later that day, we also reviewed future playground options for Centennial Park – some great family friendly picnic areas are planned – but have to be balanced with rates affordability.
I ended the day at the Waitomo Museum Society monthly meeting. There’s real momentum with a refreshed team and great plans – give them a follow here: Waitomo isite
That’s a wrap on May! I’m standing for Mayor at the upcoming election to bring strong leadership, transparent processes, and long-term thinking to our district. The decisions we make today shape the future for generations to come.
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7 June 2025
 A Big Week Ahead at Council – 1,004 Pages and Counting!Next week is shaping up to be a full one, with some key meetings and decisions on the agenda – and yes, I’m working my way through 1,004 pages of reading material (not including the consultation documents which I've already well and truly read)! I’ve been moving around the house with different topics in different reading spots – I’m currently camped out with the Dog Control Policy
   Monday 9 JuneI'll be attending the Waikato Regional Transport Committee meeting at Waikato Regional Council. With a 212-page agenda, this meeting will cover big-picture decisions around our region’s transport infrastructure – important stuff for connectivity, road safety and local investment.
Tuesday 10 JuneWe kick off at 8:30am with a Council Workshop exploring options around the Mokau Sea Wall, followed by a public excluded session discussing the Waikato Waters Shareholder Agreement.
At 10:30am, the formal Council Meeting begins, starting with hearing a submitter speak to the Review of the Dog Control Policy and Bylaw.
Then we’ll move into deliberations on:
 The Draft Alcohol Fees Bylaw The Water Services Consultation The Draft Annual Plan 2025/26 The Proposed Fees and Charges I’ve already read the 246-page submissions booklet and revisited a 243-page paper that first came through in December – so I’m making steady progress! These are critical discussions for our district’s future – from how we manage water to setting the direction for the coming year. Let’s keep working toward a stronger, future-focused Waitomo.
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 11 June 2025
Celebrating 30 Years of Friendship
  This week marks a very special milestone — the 30th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Waitomo, New Zealand and Tatsuno, Japan.
To commemorate this enduring friendship, a tree was planted and a plaque unveiled in Tatsuno, honouring three decades of cultural exchange, connection, and shared values.
Joining the celebration were members of the Waitomo Sister City Committee and eight of our local students, who are currently in Japan on the student exchange. What an unforgettable way for them to experience the strength and spirit of this international bond!
A huge thank you to our friends in Tatsuno for their incredible hospitality and continued partnership and a huge thank you to the Waitomo Sister City Committee for all the time and hard work they put in to ensure our Waitomo students are able to have this experience . Here's to many more years of friendship between our communities!
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20 June 2025 Mānawatia a Matariki
 Kim and I were honoured to be invited to the unveiling of the newly refurbished pou at the Waitomo Glowworm Caves – or the Pro Max 16 version, as one of the speakers quipped!
Kim was there when the original pou was unveiled in 1987, and again after the fire in 2005, so it was especially meaningful for both of us to be part of this latest chapter.
A huge thank you to THL and the Ruapuha Uekaha Hapu Trust for the warm welcome and for bringing our community together in such a special way.
We also took the opportunity to revisit the caves – our first time in over a decade. Floating beneath the glowworms was a powerful reminder of the taonga we have right here in Waitomo, treasured by visitors from all over the world.
What a beautiful way to begin Matariki – reconnecting with people, place, and purpose.
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23 June 2025 Last week was National Volunteer Week – a time to honour and celebrate the people who give their time, energy, and heart to strengthen our communities.
 Find out more here https://www.volunteeringnz.org.nz/.../national-volunteer...To everyone in our district who volunteers – whether it's once a year or every week – thank you. From emergency responders to school helpers, sports coaches, charity shop workers, Meals on Wheels drivers, community clean-up crews, transport volunteers, Lions, Rotary, and many more… your contribution is what makes our community thrive.
This past week has left me feeling recharged and inspired. Whether people are volunteering formally or simply going above and beyond in their everyday roles, the collective impact is extraordinary.
I don’t want to single out any one group – because every act of service matters. Volunteering isn’t just good for the community – it’s good for the soul. Studies have shown that volunteering can lead to greater happiness, health, and even longer life. (Here’s one take on that) https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/.../benefits-of.../
Personally, when I think about strong community leadership – especially in local government – I always look at whether someone actively contributes to their community. Volunteers bring a depth of real-world experience and connection that helps shape better decisions for everyone.So, from me to you – thank you. Your generosity, kindness, and dedication help make Waitomo a place we’re proud to call home.
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 June Update – A Glimpse Behind the Scenes
We’ve now officially entered the campaign period for the local government elections, which means I need to follow some important rules around what I post here.
Because I’ve used this page over the past three years to keep you informed about the work I do on your behalf as a Rural Councillor, continuing to do that during the campaign period could mean that this page is seen as an official “councillor's page” and I would need to set up a new one for posts about why I am standing for Mayor, what my values are and what I would like to see done differently for the benefit of our community.
It is almost ironic – if I hadn’t been doing posts since 2022 to keep you informed of what is happening at council there wouldn’t be an issue!
What I am allowed to say is across the month, I took part in five formal meetings connected to various council-related responsibilities—ranging from regional transport and creative communities funding, to hearings on local bylaws and our district’s Annual Plan deliberations.
Each of these meetings plays a role in shaping the direction and wellbeing of our district—whether it's supporting the arts, improving safety, or planning for the year ahead.
As always, I’m committed to showing up, doing the reading, and making sure our community is well represented around the table.
As I can’t talk in detail about the council meetings on this page, I’ll use this space to share some of the other work I’m involved in, so you get a better picture of the experience I bring and the values that guide me.
 Making Homes Warmer with Maru Energy TrustIn New Zealand, cold homes contribute to poor health. I am proud to be a Maru trustee helping to turn that around. Maru Energy Trust is a not-for-profit charity established by The Lines Company in 2018 to help make homes on The Lines Company network warmer, drier and healthier. Maru offers FREE home insulation and heat pumps to eligible homeowners.
You must live on the Lines Company network to be eligible. Other criteria apply. Visit the Maru Energy Trust website here to find out more https://maruenergytrust.org.nz/ or call Renee or Jo on 0800 808 901.
Waitomo Sister City – Youth Connections that MatterI attended via zoom a debrief with the group just back from Japan. Eight local tamariki, four adult volunteers and two chaperones recently returned from Tatsuno—our sister city. It was wonderful to hear how much they learned and shared. These exchanges build lifelong memories, global understanding, and stronger ties between our communities.
 The Sister City relationship is a Council-to-Council initiative, and we’re looking forward to hearing directly from the young people who travelled to Japan this month—they’ll be sharing their experiences at an upcoming Council meeting. Inspiring Science at Te Kūiti PrimaryI had the pleasure of visiting the school’s science fair—and it was nothing short of outstanding. From butter-making experiments to balloon-powered cars, solar systems in a secret room (Outer Space), and even research into bullet efficiencies for pest control, our young people showed innovation, curiosity, and confidence. A great reminder of the talent in our district’s future.
 Governance and Oversight – WESCT and TLCThis month included the first of our annual one-on-one interviews with each director of The Lines Company—an important part of how the Waitomo Energy Services Customer Trust ensures accountability and alignment with community expectations and values.
 We’ve started shortlisting for an upcoming board vacancy—and with 35 high-quality applicants, it’s clear that directorships on The Lines Company are highly respected and strongly sought after. It is now a board that directors want to be part of. Matariki Dawn Ceremony – A Special MomentIt was an honour to attend the unveiling of the refurbished pou at the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. It was a moving way to begin Matariki—celebrating our connections to place, people, and the year ahead.
 And yes, there’s still a lot of reading involved in my council role—some of it may or may not involve draft incorporation documents on water reform. I’ve also been reflecting lately on how earlier in my career I worked evenings in a law firm while studying full time for my management degree, and before that when living in Wellington I helped proofread the draft Local Government Amendment legislation back in 1989. It’s funny how life circles back sometimes.Thanks for continuing to follow this page. I’m standing for Mayor because I believe in practical, future-focused leadership grounded in community, governance experience, and a deep commitment to this district.
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3 July 2025
 Why I support Waitomo joining Waikato Waters Done WellThis week, Council voted to become a shareholder in Waikato Waters Done Well — and I believe it’s the right move for our district.
Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard on this reform journey over the years - it is very appreciated.
At Monday’s meeting, all councillors raised thoughtful points, and Councillor Manawaiti’s kōrero on kaitiakitanga and our shared responsibility to the Waikato River was a powerful reminder of the values that must guide us.
Waikato Waters Done Well is a locally-led model, shaped here in the Waikato — not imposed from Wellington.
It takes water infrastructure decisions out of the short-term pressures of election cycles and places them in the hands of well-qualified, professional directors, while still ensuring communities like ours retain a strong voice.
If I’m elected Mayor, I’ll bring the experience, preparation, and commitment needed to represent Waitomo well on the Shareholders’ Council. As usual, I’ve read the documents thoroughly, asked questions, made suggestions, and done the prep — and I’ll continue to bring that same diligence and curiosity to the table.
This is a turning point — and I believe we’ve made the right call.
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3 August 2025
July 2025 roundup
With the election ahead it’s great to see so many candidates stepping up – choice is good!
My focus is firmly on the future — and what a strong, connected Waitomo could be. Let’s build it together.
9, 15, 16, 23 July – Strong GovernanceThis month I’ve been deeply involved in the director appointment process for The Lines Company as part of my role with the Waitomo Energy Services Customer Trust. It’s not just about finding people with the right technical skills — it’s about finding leaders who reflect our community’s values and understand the importance of serving on a community-owned company.
We’re fortunate that our approach attracts high-calibre candidates who genuinely want to serve the people of the King Country. All six trustees contribute actively, bringing diverse perspectives to a robust, values-based selection process. We also conduct one-on-one director check-ins each year, which foster open, ongoing dialogue and strengthen trust in governance.
Good governance is the foundation of strong communities — it ensures our district assets are looked after not just for today, but for future generations.
 4 July – Community Film NightWhat a fantastic evening at the Les Munro Centre! It was heartwarming to see children running around, parents catching up, and new friendships forming.
Events like this may seem small, but they make a big difference — they create shared experiences that bind us together. Especially in smaller towns, these moments help people feel connected and seen. We need more of this: more spaces, more events, more chances to connect as neighbours, families, and friends.
Dog-Friendly SpacesAfter the recent review of the dog bylaws and community feedback — including one standout verbal submission — Council staff are now exploring options for a dog-friendly space in Te Kūiti.
These aren’t just spaces for dogs; they’re spaces for people. Dog parks are meeting places — they create natural opportunities for conversations, connections, and new friendships. In other towns, I’ve seen how these areas bring neighbours together and help build inclusive, welcoming communities.
We can make this happen without a big price tag — and I’ll keep pushing to make sure it doesn’t fall off the radar.
 21 July – Kāinga Ora BlessingI joined Councillor Janene New and Mayor John Robertson at the blessing of the new Kāinga Ora homes on Lawrence Street. Wishing the new tenants all the best as they settle into their new homes — here’s to warm, dry, and happy beginnings.
 26 July – Supporting Local EnterpriseWith my Briar Patch business hat on, we wrapped up our fourth wool festival of the year at Fibretron in Mystery Creek — joining earlier events in Wellington and Auckland.
What strikes me every time is that more than 90% of our revenue comes from outside the district. Small and online businesses like ours bring external income into Waitomo — and that’s something we need to enable more of. Supporting local enterprise helps build a more resilient economy for everyone.
29 July – Sister City PrideOur Sister City relationship with Tatsuno, Japan, marks its 30th anniversary this year,
Listening to our tamariki speak about their experience — and to Kaumatua King Turner reflect on how the trip challenged long-held perceptions — was incredibly moving.
These exchanges do more than provide travel opportunities. They teach empathy, broaden horizons, and promote peace and understanding. Les Munro had the vision to build this bridge decades ago, and it continues to bring generations closer together.
In a world that can sometimes feel divided, connections like this remind us of the value of shared understanding and cultural respect. Let’s keep growing this legacy.
Authorised by Janette Osborne, 2879 Hauturu Road, RD8, Te Kuiti
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