Waikato Regional Council (WRC) helps to “create a sustainable future for people today and generations to come,” and here is our opportunity again to choose our representatives who will take decisions to help maintain this sustainable future.
With just 18 more days to go before voting ends, there are still voters out there in community who either don’t care about voting or still undecided.
Democracy only succeeds if everyone eligible to vote in community gets involved. And voter turnout is an indicator of community engagement and political participation.
The regional council voter turnout in 2022 was around 39% proving the significance of regional council on the minds of voters.
There are four seats from Hamilton for WRC and there are 10 candidates (pictured here below) who are seeking your valuable vote to take decisions that help sustain our environment, now and in future:
The candidates standing for the four Hamilton seats are (in alphabetical order): Angela Strange, Bala Tikkisetty, Ben Dunbar-Smith, Bruce Clarkson, Chris Hughes, Henry Penny, Jennifer Nickel, Pam Chiles, Phillip Westwood and Robin Ratcliffe.
Strange, Clarkson, Hughes and Nickel who won from Hamilton in 2022 are seeking re-election. Dunbar-Smith won last time from Waihou but has chosen to stand instead from Hamilton this election.
Here are details of each candidate and what they stand for to help you make a decision. Click on their names to read more about each candidate:
Angela Strange: Strange wishes to “continue delivering practical, future-focused decisions that protect our environment and support thriving, connected and resilient communities for generations to come.” She assures “strategic insight, prudent financial management, and a collaborative approach to decision-making” and believes in “working across councils, businesses, and communities to tackle complex regional challenges” and “protecting biosecurity” remains her key priority along with a “balanced, efficient transport network.”
Bala Tikkisetty: Tikkisetty claims his stake on his 25+ years of experience “working with regional councils, underpinned by a background in agricultural sciences, environmental sustainability and governance.” As a “pragmatic problem-solver,” he offers “practical, science-based solutions (for) a healthy, natural environment.” His focus is on “delivering value for your rates dollar through financial discipline, accountability, and well-planned investment in biosecurity, affordable transport.” Currently, a Justice of the Peace, he has served community in various positions.
Ben Dunbar-Smith: Dunbar-Smith is offering a “new pragmatic approach” and believes if people are “having to tighten their belt, then so should the Regional Council.” He is “determined to drive efficiencies, reduce waste and cut costs…return surplus back as rates reductions.” He favours “to cut costs”, such as “slashing spent on consultants,” opposes the “creep of co-governance into decision-making on freshwater.”
Bruce Clarkson: Recipient of the Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to ecological restoration and several other prestigious recognitions, Clarkson is current Deputy Chair and has served “on many committees focusing on biodiversity/ biosecurity issues.” He has “relevant environmental science background with 40 years experience” and track record of helping community groups in “sustaining land, water and environment.” If re-elected, he will use his “expertise to help take a more collaborative, evidence-based approach” to tackle future challenges.
Chris Hughes: Hughes who was Finance Chair, claims he was “instrumental in keeping 2026 rates increase at 5.7%”. He wants to “reduce rates below the level of inflation” and supports “economic growth combined with balanced infrastructure commitments.” He wants to “drive efficiencies and reduce costs” particularly the spend on external consultants. His “priority is fiscal prudence and responsibility to people, the ratepayer.”
Henry Penny: With 25+ years experience in software development, Penny wants to “bring a pragmatic, evidence-based voice to the table.” He “understands how to solve complex problems and work collaboratively”. He cares about region’s future and wants to protect environment “in a practical, science-backed” way.” He will “advocate for ratepayers, business owners, and grassroots community initiatives, push for policies that are outcomes-focused, fiscally responsible.”
Jennifer Nickel: Jennifer knows how to “provide clear direction, fostering inclusive leadership, and scrutinising rates responsibly.” She has supported various community-led initiatives; “championed energy and water security and reducing pollution.” She is keen to “push reform and stronger collaboration across councils and with Parliament to deliver smarter shared-services and efficiencies.” She wants to “build a more connected region where communities work together, essentials are affordable, and nature is respected.”
Pamela Chiles: Chiles lived almost 30 years overseas where there was “efficient public transport”. She believes that planet can still be saved, so her focus is on encouraging people to use public transport more as it reduces carbon emissions. If elected, she “wishes to improve transparency, routes, signage and the transit app so that taking public transport becomes more viable option for all.”
Phillip Westwood: Westwood has worked and travelled widely overseas. On return, he settled in Hamilton for 24+ years before embarking on a teaching mission to China. This gave him a “unique insight into where a large part of the future for NZ lies and a greater understanding of Eastern values.” Having returned to NZ, he would now like to “put something back into the Waikato district.”
Robin Ratcliffe: Ratcliffe “cares deeply” about this region he has “helped build” and wants to help shape its future. He believes “it’s time for common sense, accountability, and leadership grounded in real-world experience.” He wants to “protect environment, support smart development, and ensure rates are spent wisely.” He has experience of “dealing with councils on planning, infrastructure, compliance,” and knows how “red tape affects real people.”
So, vote for those who you believe will represent your best interests in safeguarding our sustainable environment.
Also Read: https://www.newsviews.co.nz/regional-councils-relegated-as-local-council-elections-take-upper-hand/ https://www.newsviews.co.nz/32-file-nominations-for-waikato-regional-council-one-elected-unopposed/
