The field is very much wide and open for the Invercargill mayoralty.
Promising strong, positive leadership
Marcus Lush
Marcus Lush.
Age: 57
Occupation: Broadcaster
Marital status: Partner with two children
What sets you apart from the other mayoral candidates?
My positivity for this city, and my ability to bring people together to work towards a common goal. I have lived here for 20 years and have a vision to make Invercargill the most welcoming city in New Zealand. We can make Invercargill the best city in New Zealand for people to move to and raise families — attracting much-needed professionals and fostering new businesses. I have the profile, the communication skills and the stickability to lead the council and make this happen.
How would you promote function and unity within the council governance team?
I will provide strong leadership that creates a positive culture around the council table — taking on board the lessons learned last term, with more community engagement and increased understanding of the issues affecting our communities. I listen for a living, and will value the people around the council table, and use their skills, to ensure a highly functioning council which is responsive to city residents.
What are your personal views on the Three Waters reforms?
As mayor my view is not the most important thing — the important thing is to achieve strong consensus on the best way forward, and negotiate the best deal we can for the city. Strong and stable leadership will allow us to leverage the city’s strong Three Waters position by working proactively with central government to deliver the best value and services to ratepayers — while also ensuring Invercargill is future-proofed for climate change.
How would you promote Invercargill as a place to live and work?
I’ve been continuously promoting Invercargill and Bluff to the rest of New Zealand for the past 20 years. We need to sell Invercargill to the rest of New Zealand and the world as the most welcoming city — let’s be known for our thriving communities, world-class facilities (including a massive children’s playground tied into the new museum in Queens Park), inner-city vibrancy and clean energy opportunities. I will develop Bluff’s full potential by listening to residents and developing a community-led approach that builds on existing strengths from where tourism opportunities will follow.
What do you believe the problems are with the existing Local Government Act and how would you fix it?
The Local Government Act is not the problem — it’s how councils are using it. There is a huge amount of room to improve community engagement in Invercargill, and we should not accept the bare minimum being done. When it comes to the Local Electoral Act, I believe a change to single transferable vote (STV) would result in more community-minded people getting elected to councils. It just seems fairer, as it means people have to think harder about who they vote for as they rank candidates — rather than just going with name recognition.
Focus on unity, advocacy for local voice
Toni Biddle
Toni Biddle.
Age: 46
Occupation: Business adviser
Marital status: Married
What sets you apart from the other mayoral candidates?
I have been described as a person who can work in partnership with others and bring people together. I am young and energetic and bring strong, established relationships with iwi, business, central government, education and the community, which is critical in the mayor’s role. I am experienced and have seen what a dysfunctional council does to a community. I have never stopped working for our people and am more experienced now to do so effectively.
How would you promote function and unity within the council governance team?
Council unity is a key focus. Council decisions are made through a democratic process, and relitigating decisions without support to effect change is a waste of time and resources, causing frustration and division. Any new mayor must have the ability to work with new and incumbent members of the council. As mayor, I will put the right people in the right roles. My focus will be on strong governance that debates issues, not personalities. I will ensure members know how to effect change, encourage all to participate and hold the council accountable to ratepayers.
What are your personal views on the Three Waters reforms?
This is a legislative change, not a council decision. There are more questions than answers at council level. Losing Three Waters will see about a third of our rates revenue gone. Stranded overheads will mean rates will not reduce as a result. What is likely, is ratepayers and residents will see a new bill in their mailbox. As a council, we must prepare and reduce the capital spending forecasted to offset this new cost. Those on fixed income and pensions can not afford rates increases while receiving new bills for water.
How would you promote Invercargill as a place to live and work?
Invercargill, including Bluff, requires a multi-dimensional strategy to attract people to live, work, visit and invest in our city. We have always been a city of lifestyle. We have changed our brand so many times and have never established what sets us apart. This work requires a collaborative approach and should not be done by the council alone. We must invest wisely in areas where we create good jobs and sustainable growth and have more available to families so we will attract people to our city.
What do you believe the problems are with the Local Government Act and how would you fix it?
My view is we are losing local decision-making. An individual council cannot change the existing Local Government Act alone but having a mayor who understands the importance of working with other mayors and having strong advocacy at a national level, and within the local government of New Zealand, is more than we have now. As mayor, I will advocate retaining local decisions which is a more effective way of meeting our needs. Localism reflects the diversity of our population and moving to an extreme concentration of power and authority is a risk.
Securing the direction council wants
Darren Ludlow
Darren Ludlow.
Age: 57
Occupation: Manager
Marital status: Married with two adult sons
What sets you apart from the other mayoral candidates?
Experience and understanding of the role with an objective of getting the direction council and the councillors want and helping them to enable that, rather than pushing a personal agenda. We’ve had some tough discussions these past couple of years, and while not everyone will have liked the outcomes, with my chairing they did feel they’d been given the chance to contribute.
How would you promote function and unity within the council governance team?
By ensuring everyone understands standing orders and the behavioural standards we set this term (and will revisit in the new term). They also need to understand operational matters are usually not theirs to direct — but they can question or seek clarification.
What are your personal views on the Three Waters reforms?
I do not support them as they stand. Current proposals do not work in the best interests of Invercargill. While there are national benefits, that’s the role of central government. They’ve taken the wrong approach to improve water quality — which everyone does have an interest in.
How would you promote Invercargill as a place to live and work?
We do have a lifestyle that makes life easier — a small city is easier to get around. There are so many facilities and options for young families to give their children good opportunities, and from a business perspective, we are close to good transport hubs. We want this to be a place that encourages new businesses and therefore new jobs.
What do you believe the problems are with the existing Local Government Act and how would you fix it?
It’s central government’s job to fix it, not ours — and the direction of reforms depends entirely on what it dictates we will be left with, since reading and water infrastructure might not be part of it. Whatever changes they decide — no matter which government — we have to see how quickly we adapt and make it work best for us. Removing the postal voting system for local government would be a positive thing.
‘Totally opposed’ to water reforms
Nobby Clark
Nobby Clark.
Age: 71
Occupation: Councillor
Marital status: Long-term partner
What sets you apart from the other mayoral candidates?
Prepared to resolve museum closure issue by building a new facility within three years. Prepared to secure the disability workers at the recycling plant until 2027. I’m totally opposed to the Three Waters reform. I have a proven ability to lead a diverse team. Strong leadership around governance goals and holding staff accountable for delivery.
How would you promote function and unity within the council governance team?
Have a monthly meeting with each elected member, to understand their views and passion for the city. Have a monthly "councillor only" meeting to create unified outcomes. Collapse the senior chairs group which divides the elected members. Insert a finance committee to oversee council expenditure which, in turn, impacts rates. Encourage debate as opposed to silence on key issues.
What are your personal views on the Three Waters reforms?
Totally opposed as Invercargill would face lower costs if we are not forced to join the water entity. Opposed to co-governance model imposed by Minister Mahuta and her cabinet colleagues. They cannot deliver neither the economy of scale, recruitment of enough qualified water engineers nor get enough uptake by contractors to get the work done. They won’t address the need for water meters and "user pays". Invercargill ratepayers will subsidise other councils who have not done so well with their infrastructure renewals. Our need for an alternative water supply to the Oreti River will be low priority to the water entity.
How would you promote Invercargill as a place to live and work?
Most affordable house prices of any provincial city — that leaves more money in your pocket for other things. Plenty of current jobs with more to come via hydrogen plant, salmon farms, data centre, space ops and plenty in hospitality. A safe city with new vibrancy.
What do you believe the problems are with the existing Local Government Act and how would you fix it?
The current Act is OK, it just needs strengthening around codes of conduct, how they are investigated and what outcomes are available to a council for inappropriate behaviour.
Standing with ‘All Us Moderates’
Jacqueline Walter
Age: n/a
Occupation: Former primary school teacher
Marital status: Married
What sets you apart from the other mayoral candidates?
Perhaps I am the only candidate to say that if I had been the mayor, we would have said "no" regarding mandating and lockdowns. We would not have participated in confusions. Policing by informed consent is our way. The Covid science was not settled and the majority knew it. Our tolerance and good citizenship was ill-used by central government. I won’t brush the Covid upsets under the carpet and I will act upon the ongoing Covid issue. I will also lead the conversation regarding the politicisation of climate change.
How would you promote function and unity within the council governance team?
I hope the citizens vote for talented and diligent councillors, and disable the political partisan bloc. I would be your social mayor. I enjoy harmonising and teamwork, and I think I can quickly learn the ropes around the council table and various committees. The most important attributes for your mayor to deliver is the tone, ethics, vision, approachability and availability.
I am non-partisan politically. Ibelong with "All Us Moderates".
What are your personal views on the Three Waters reforms?
I do not tolerate politicians saying that we must avoid emotions about all this. My view is formed by the feelings and research of affected parties (all of us). It is widely acknowledged that Three Waters Reform is mostly bad, and atrocious in its delivery. Let’s avoid future wasteful debacles of authoritarianism, fear and dogma. Of course, we all want quality water systems. Stop Three Waters now. Central government bullies lost their chance on the workable bits.
How would you promote Invercargill as a place to live and work?
The notion of promoting Invercargill and Bluff by assuming ratepayers’ money is very yesteryear. Positive views of the South just happen, because ... "All Us Moderates". We are the majority, and positively humming. Elite minds harp on about using other people’s money, and the frowny hand-wringers stall and still do nothing of lasting value. The best thing we can do for ourselves is to vote in happy, decisive leaders. No rates increase above inflation. If this promise were to be broken, I’d resign — cut and paste this for your scrapbook.
What do you believe the problems are with the existing Local Government Act and how would you fix it?
Fix it? Now you really are asking for a protesting mayor. Protesting is not my usual style, but "All Us Moderates" are provoked. LGNZ does not work for us locally. It doesn’t even work for New Zealand. We must insist on our rights, whatever it takes, peacefully and firmly. Decisive and persevering, rather than complacent waffling along. Fix this local government law mongering? Stop the stealth? Absolutely, but shouldn't I be saying instead that I’d like to be our PM?
Fresh face with good governance skills
Noel Peterson
Noel Peterson.
Age: 69
Occupation: community board member
Marital status: single
What sets you apart from the other mayoral candidates?
A new-to-council full-time mayor, working for everyone, representing all of the Invercargill community, good governance skills and the ability to promote and represent Invercargill on the regional, national and world stage.
How would you promote function and unity within the council governance team?
Continue as I already do so. I would use my communication and conflict resolution skills to enable unity.
What are your personal views on the Three Waters reforms?
Neither for or against. Following the government legislation is my governance task, bearing in mind the legislation may change as governments change.
How would you promote Invercargill as a place to live and work?
A world-leading city, the southernmost on the planet!
What do you believe the problems are with the existing Local Government Act and how would you fix it?
LGA is currently not fit for purpose; complete overhaul as planned in conjunction with community and Government.
We must maintain equality and fairness
Ria Bond
Ria Bond.
Age: n/a
Occupation: Business contractor
Marital status: Long-term partner
What sets you apart from the other mayoral candidates?
I am a former list member of Parliament based in Invercargill and actively advocated for constituents of the Invercargill public throughout my role, prior to and during Parliament. The experience working in government has provided multilevel essential skills and abilities to become mayor. I have a strong business and governance background and bring years of experience in roles from chair to directorships. Invercargill needs a mayor with strong leadership and vision, and must work with councillors to get results for ratepayers and businesses. I am a mentor for Business NZ and a Rotarian.
How would you promote function and unity within the council governance team?
A focused leader means a focused team. A good team leader always has the goal in mind and sets clear expectations. As mayor, I intend to meet with each member to ascertain their skill sets, views on the role of council members, level of governance abilities, what their sense of operational is and more. I need to know the strengths and weaknesses of elected members — this allows me to provide training to upskill, motivate my team, handle and delegate responsibilities, listen to feedback and solve any problems from the start to be a team.
What are your personal views on the Three Waters reforms?
While I can appreciate the Government’s intention behind the Water Services Entities Bill, the tragic Havelock North drinking water contamination in 2016 highlighted systemic failures in our water system across service provision, regulation and source protection. I’d rather see direct investment by Government into updating local infrastructure growth as needed, not remove local decision making and add red tape bureaucracy. Greater efficiency by centralisation proposed by the minister will fail. Our city needs to retain control of our ratepayer assets. I oppose the Three Waters reforms.
How would you promote Invercargill as a place to live and work?
We need to tell our story of our city better, to attract visitors and families to live, work and play here. From slogans to images, our messages are disjointed — miss the sense of excitement and belonging. More emphasis showcasing our local champions, heroes, migrants, our city’s progression, beaches, innovative local businesses, housing affordability, our less stressful lifestyle, sports complexes, heritage, the can-do attitudes; show our humour, parks, cycling tracks; get the museum built. We need skilled workers. We need to work together across all sections of our city, work out our asset inventory and sell it better.
What do you believe the problems are with the existing Local Government Act and how would you fix it?
The challenges we face are significant. Our country has changed from when the current system was formed. A huge chunk (90%) of our tax and rates collected in New Zealand goes to Central Government, with very little investment back into our city and regions. Invercargill City Council delivers plenty of services to our community. We need levers to protect our local democracy — local decision-making is being eroded. We must maintain equality and fairness. We have to ensure we can push back on the Government and ensure local voices are heard.
Experience, courage distinguishing qualities
Tom Morton
Tom Morton.
Age: 61
Occupation: Business owner
Marital status: Married
What sets you apart from the other mayoral candidates?
The voters of Invercargill should vote for me because I am the only candidate who has the wealth of experiential knowledge and the courage necessary to be able to solve the problems Invercargill faces; and because I am the only candidate who will answer everything unscripted and honestly.
The housing crisis is the major issue. On November 18, in the ODT, Southland Housing Forum stated 1659 housing dwellings need to be built this year, and 3415 by 2025. Too few houses are being built, unfortunately.
City councils throughout New Zealand are wrongly overly stringent on enforcing their own unnecessary building regulations as well as the national government’s regulations. City councils zone places as industrial land, therefore causing it to remain undeveloped and useless, when it should be used for high-density, up-market private residential properties.
How would you promote function and unity within the council governance team?
Two-pronged problems. Many past councillors have not acted with the decorum fitting to their position.
Naturally, Sir Tim’s wife should have gone to the Palmerston North conference at his expense. The No 1 reason why people pull out of conferences is spouses being unable to attend the conference their spouse got invited to for flight and other reasons.
All of these matters should be passed through the structures of the bureaucratic side of the council, privately, not through newspapers.
What are your personal views on the Three Waters reforms?
Three Waters should be allowed to be voluntarily adopted by city and district councils because some regions may benefit from Three Waters, while others including Invercargill, I think would not.
How would you promote Invercargill as a place to live and work?
Invercargill is an outdoors city, full of adventure. The upgrading of Stead St wharf, before it collapses forever, is urgently needed. It would make a wonderful trailer restaurant area with coffee and snack areas atop a reinforced wharf. Also to have Stead St wharf become an outrigger canoe area, with simple storage sheds nearby.
If Invercargill City Council ever increases rates, it’s imperative that the ICC significantly, appreciably improves upon the services it provides.
What do you believe the problems are with the existing Local Government Act and how would you fix it?
No answer.
Incumbent highlights long service, ‘dogged determination’ in role
Sir Tim Shadbolt
Sir Tim Shadbolt.
Age: 75
Occupation: Mayor
Marital status: Long-term partner
What sets you apart from the other mayoral candidates?
Decades of experience set me apart from the other candidates. Many think they have what it takes and know what they would do in the position but they have no real understanding of exactly how limited mayoral powers are. Politics is about playing the long game, it’s not about necessarily policy statements. I also have the dogged determination to stand up for what I think is just. The last term has shown that many others are content to be just voices in a pack for fear of personal repercussions.
How would you promote function and unity within the council governance team?
It’s vital that public confidence and respect is restored to council. This will involve establishing a culture where everyone is respected. It’s vital that there are "elected member only" gatherings to restore the correct hierarchy to the organisation. A schedule where these occur routinely to the start of this process of rebuilding the culture.
What are your personal views on the Three Waters reforms?
I have extreme misgivings about the Three Waters reforms and the impact upon ratepayers. The distance between ownership of water assets and control of these assets is something that every New Zealander needs to be concerned about. The proposed management structure of the new water entities dilutes input and control of the local communities who own these assets. This system of management needs to be completed revisited.
How would you promote Invercargill as a place to live and work?
We need to encourage the development of a regional marketing campaign where the virtues of our lifestyles are presented, much like the SIT campaigns of the past decade. We also need novel ways to capture media attention. Something I have excelled at for many years. The affordability of housing education and leisure to an under-utilised drawcard.
What do you believe the problems are with the existing Local Government Act and how would you fix it?
The current Local Government Act places all the power for an authority to the CEO. Every aspect of the Act defers to the CEO. Most people don’t understand this factor. If the relationship between a CE and a mayor is not a positive one, the CEO can make or break a mayor because they control staff and every aspect of a council. It’s vital that executive powers are established with the reforms so that a mayor can make decisions and control their own office and staff without the influence or undermining of a CEO. Currently, management has the power to interfere in governance and there is ability for undue influence and crossover.
