Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate will not seek the mayoralty for a third time and leave politics in October to focus on her family.
Southgate was elected mayor in 2019 and was the Waikato’s only sitting mayor to be re-elected in 2022. After 24 years in local government, including six as Hamilton mayor and three years leading the Waikato Regional Council, she wants a better work-life balance.
This unexpected announcement was made by her in a statement issued early this morning.
Despite being encouraged to stay, Southgate will not seek the mayoralty for a third time, saying the city needs a fresh approach. Instead her focus will be on family, including her husband Greg, her mother, two daughters, a step-son and grandchild born during this electoral term.
“I knew before standing in 2022 this would be my last term and promised my close friends and family that.I have absolutely loved my time as Mayor – it’s been a huge privilege and pleasure. But it’s a 24-7 job and I won’t change my mind. I am firmly focused on the future, using my skills and passions in new ways,” she said.
“For me, that includes making way for smart, emerging younger leaders who can use their talents with the city’s best interests at heart. There will be other ways to add value to the community. I don’t need to be mayor to do that.”
Southgate believes local government is at a turning point and something must change.
“High growth cities like Hamilton need things to be done differently. We can’t just keep expecting ratepayers to pay more and more to cover the huge infrastructure needed to support growth. They can’t afford it and it’s simply not fair.”
She admits to being a “constant voice for change” in Wellington while having to make tough calls around the Council table.
“I won’t apologise for raising concerns about funding and advocating for our city.That is my job. We are in one of New Zealand’s longest economic recessions and everyone is struggling. I worked really hard to take millions of dollars out of our budget, reduce staff and contractors and say no to new projects. It’s not all roses but sometimes you have to make tough calls.”
“We needed – and still need – to look after what the city already has, be as lean as possible and focus on top priorities.”
She is also considering other roles focused on public good but has made no decision on what’s next. Read More...
