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Dunedin Mayor Aaron Hawkins has confirmed he will stand for re-election at this year’s local body elections, and is looking forward to fierce competition for the top job.
He said he was proud of the direction the city was heading and was seeking a mandate to continue that work.
"I’d always expect an election to be hard fought. It’s the biggest decision our community makes in terms of charting a course for the city.
"My son asked me why I do this the other day, and I told him it’s for him.
"I go to work every day thinking of him, his kids and those who come after that. We have a duty to make decisions in their best interests."
The country had been asked to do "extraordinary things as part of its response to the Covid-19 pandemic, but it had taken a toll on people".
"The Covid protections have meant some have taken a hit personally, and others financially, but everyone is exhausted after two years of this.
"No surprises here, but if there’s one thing I would change about the past two and a-half years, it would be the global pandemic."
In the next term, he hoped to be able to spend more time face to face with communities.
"Zoom has been a useful tool, but nothing beats human interaction for building and strengthening relationships."
He was proud of what the council had achieved over the past two and a-half years, such as investing in playgrounds and public housing, and building a more people-friendly city centre.
"Reconnecting people to their libraries by scrapping overdue fines. Broadening our perspective by appointing mana whenua representatives to council committees. Getting on with the job of fixing our ageing infrastructure.
"And (finally!) restarting our public art programme with the wonderful Ko te Tuhono [public artwork] in the Octagon.
"But there’s still plenty more to get on with, and for now that has to be our focus."