Bevin Watt has been in Gore for more than two decades and on the Gore District Council for one term as a councillor.
Now he hopes to become the mayor of the district.
In love with the area, Mr Watt says moving to the South 22 years ago from the North Island was like a homecoming.
Born and raised in Roxburgh, Mr Watt moved to the North Island for work.
He was transferred to Gore as part of his work with Ravensdown.
He describes the South as "very trusting and honest and very close-knit".
Five years ago, after being spurred on by others, he became a Gore District councillor and this year he is seeking to become the mayor.
If it wasn’t for the push from others, he is not sure he would have put his name forward as a councillor in the first place.
"I’m very much inspired by other people and their faith in me."
Mr Watt does not believe in discriminating against anyone because of their age, sex or gender which is why he declined to give out his age when asked.
He wants people to focus on his policies and his positives rather than his age which he views as "irrelevant".
Why are you standing for mayor?
Because I’ve been asked to by several people.
They haven’t been happy with the direction the council has been going in terms of rates increases and the increase of debt.
I believe I haven’t got any option other than to turn it around but it’s not going to be easy.
I believe there needs to be a cultural change.
In terms of governance, it’s time the council took control and set strategies in place that guide management in an appropriate direction.
Without that proper direction, we will be more of the same.
Will you be a full-time mayor and why?
I don’t believe I should need to be a full-time mayor but it will be a full-time job to turn things around.
There’s a lot of preparation that is necessary.
Also, it’s more than turning up to work at 8 in the morning and knocking off at 5.
It will be a full-on job or, to put more appropriately, with full-on responsibilities.
What position do you think the district is in?
Gore itself is the centre of one of the most productive farming communities in New Zealand, bar none.
As such, it is very dependent on the wellbeing of the rural community.
Currently things are, reportedly, quite quiet commercially within the district and town.
That’s understandable with the downturn of commodity prices, dairy in particular.
What are three issues facing the incoming council, and why?
I believe living within our means is the most important one.
Debt reduction.
More affordable rates.
I think there is a need for greater transparency.
Things have happened in town within the council that haven’t been adequately communicated to the residents, such as the rebranding of Gore, for example.
That hasn’t gone down particularly well.
There needs to be public involvement and there needs to be more transparency.
What would be one thing you would like to have achieved by the end of your term, and why?
I would like to have achieved a council, the councillors or the governance, unified and able to look back at achieving policy set in place three years previously.
I would like to look back with a degree of satisfaction of getting the ship on an even keel and heading in the right direction.
Bevin Watt
Age: Declined to say
Occupation: Business owner Marital
Status: Married to Colleen, two adult children
Council experience: Three years from 2011-13 on the Gore District Council
Describe yourself in three words: Honesty, integrity and energy
