Question 1: How would you promote function and unity within the council chambers?
Question 2: What are your goals and priorities for the council?
DENE ALLEN
Age: 42.
Occupation: Real estate agent, entertainer.
Question 1: Our role is to have varying views as representatives of community, debate is part of our seat at the table. I believe we need outcomes (not continual consultation) with respect and integrity at the fore, always discuss the principle, never the person. We will function well when respectful, and outcome focused. We teach these principles to our children. I think it should be something we, as community servants should be able to manage!
Question 2: To see our assets realised, the museum situation is a disgrace, beautify Invercargill to ensure our guests have a fantastic experience! We should be proactive to promote Invercargill; bring families to live, and visitors to spend.
Collaborate with business; clear the pathway for business to do what they do best. Our role at the table, should be to push Invercargill hard to be the best regional city in New Zealand — I believe we can!
REBECCA AMUNDSEN
Age: 44.
Occupation: Event co-ordinator.
Question 1: I work hard for my community and at being a valued member of the elected member group. I do this by being an active participant in council meetings and activities. This contributes to a functional council. I take a balanced and respectful approach to decision-making and uphold decisions whether I am in the majority or not. I look forward to supporting a new mayor who will be focused on developing a positive council culture.
Question 2: I am excited by the opportunities ahead but under no illusions of the challenges we also face. My priorities are contributing to a positive council; focusing on the future opportunities (including the city centre redevelopment) and being strategic about this; continuing to strengthen the connection between the council and community, and I really think we need to make a concerted effort to improve the perception of Invercargill. Climate change also needs to be a priority.
ALLAN ARNOLD
No response received before deadline.
EDDIE BLACKBURN
No response received before deadline.
TRISH BOYLE
Age: 71.
Occupation: Senior education adviser.
Question 1: Ensure there is a strong understanding of the difference between governance and management based on common sense, backed up by a good grasp of correct processes.
Actively listen to others’ point of view. Have an independent voice that is underpinned with integrity and credibility. Be willing to speak up and have the community in mind when making decisions. Help find solutions that result in action.
Develop a collaborative and effective team to work together better.
Question 2: Leave the council working together in a better place than when I started.
Take action in creating a new museum for Invercargill.
Three Waters — watch decisions closely, have robust discussions, inform the community.
Resource Management Act — get engaged, put in submissions that are timely and fit for purpose.
Local council reform — it’s an opportunity to reimagine our public service by putting the needs of our community at the heart of planning and delivery.
KEVIN BROWN
No response received before deadline.
TOM CAMPBELL
No response received before deadline.
ALEX CRACKETT
Age: 32.
Occupation: Invercargill City Councillor, McIntyre Dick marketing manager.
Question 1: Energetic, excited and completely dedicated to driving Invercargill forward, I would be honoured to be re-elected and continue to work tirelessly for the future of Invercargill.
Armed with strength of character, youthful perspective and personal integrity, I will promote function and unity by employing the ethos of "Tough on standards, Tender on people".
I pledge to continue to employ fiscally responsible leadership that strives to ensure the interests of ratepayers and residents always come first.
Question 2: Prior to becoming a councillor, I pledged action toward urban rejuvenation, innovation, community engagement and delivering our core services better. We have made great progress but there is much that remains.
Moving forward, we need improved transparency, a strong voice committed to delivering the best reform outcomes for the city, and to ensure we deliver planned infrastructure projects; museum, Invercargill Central, city centre upgrades and Anderson House. I stand for the future.
GRANT DERMODY
No response received before deadline.
IAN EDWARDS
No response received before deadline.
KARI GARBER
No response received before deadline.
KERRY HAPUKU
No response received before deadline.
KARL HERMAN
Age: 43.
Occupation: Horticulture.
Question 1: Three simple common processes that would take place, which are: keeping meetings positive, show constructive criticism and moving forward, not being stuck procrastinating or going round in circles undecided.
Secondly, keep personal options to yourself and stop the personal attacks. They don’t get you anywhere, it just makes situations worse. Councillors need to remember what they are all there for, the people of Invercargill not their own personal egos!
Question 2: Help create a better governance, we haven’t had a proper council and leader for three years.
Sensible spending for the people and community of Invercargill.
Get our city assets back open again — our museum, Anderson Park are just a couple to name.
Help create a vibrant welcoming city to entice visitors and future residents to. We need to grow our society, fill the job void and encourage more families to build their future here.
PETER WARREN KETT
No response received before deadline.
TERRY KING
No response received before deadline.
FRANCINE KNOWLES
No response received before deadline.
GRAHAM LEWIS
No response received before deadline.
MALCOLM LOAN
Age: 67.
Occupation: Retired (previously council drainage manager).
Question 1: As a councillor I would carefully research issues and reports brought before the council, and contribute to robust debate to ensure consideration is given to impacts on residents of council decisions.
Question 2: To ensure high-quality services and environmental outcomes are provided by council.
To bring value to debate on proposed changes in legislation affecting councils, to ensure the best possible outcome for residents.
To keep costs affordable to ratepayers.
DAVE LOUDON
Age: 62.
Occupation: Retired paramedic/firefighter.
Question 1: I would promote that the incoming mayor and CEO instill the "Rules of play" right from the start. Forget about past transgressions. Also encourage that council be very open with ratepayers and no "secret society" or "old boys’ network" antics as there has been in the past. Ratepayers expect complete confidence in their elected council and I would certainly be maintaining that.
Question 2: Spend ratepayers’ money prudently and with due diligence. Listen to what ratepayers realistically want. Set reasonable priorities and do so within budgets. Improve openness of council and its decision-making. Practise good effective community leadership by drawing on the experience brought to the table by councillors. Also, full engagement with the community on a myriad of issues plus deliver on community needs now and the future.
PETER MARSHALL
Age: 48.
Occupation: IT business owner/director.
Question 1: The council are voted in based on current issues and our responses to these issues. I believe if we have strong leadership (mayor) and a group of elected individuals who know the issues, we can work together to achieve our goals quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively. I am a facilitator. If a project needs to be done and it makes sense, let’s work on a plan and get it done.
Question 2: The council has many issues for the next term.
I am totally opposed to Three Waters. This needs to stop.
We have the museum that has been closed for five years; let’s make a decision and get on with it.
We have road repairs, the recycling contract. And many more.
Most importantly, rates. Do we really need that consultant? We have local expertise; let’s use it. Only by managing costs can we maintain rates.
KEVIN MULROONEY
Age: 60.
Occupation: Pharmacist.
Question 1: By supporting the one elected leader.
By ensuring everyone has the opportunity to make a relevant contribution to discussion. By encouraging collective responsibility for the decisions once they have been made whether it be unanimous or by majority. By discouraging other councillors from approaching the media to criticise council decisions, or the mayor and other councillors.
Question 2: Engage with the new health authority to ensure all health services currently available in Southland are retained.
Engage with the Ministries of Immigration (migrant workers) and Local Government (Three Waters, RMA) for the benefit of all local residents.
Advocate for a new boat ramp and a ratepayer funded bus service between Bluff and Invercargill.
Advocate for a local upcycling plant for reuse of plastic waste. Advocate for retention of recycling contract with Recycle South.
RICK MURRELL
Age: 58.
Occupation: Company director.
Question 1: I believe I could bring a renewed energy and passion to the council chambers.
Showing respect for council staff, the elected mayor and councillors.
In my experience, you do your homework before meetings, use common sense and understand issues, be clear and concise when communicating your position, and have the ability to listen and explore others’ points of view.
I will always speak my mind, and own my actions.
If elected, I would do my upmost to add value to the new council.
Question 2: To win back the confidence of Invercargill ratepayers by working to provide better governance, and more passion and enthusiasm in chambers.
To support a museum rebuild that can open within three years. To push back against Three Waters.
To provide some certainty for 40 disability workers at the Invercargill recycling plant.
To commit to the challenges that a repeal of the Resource Management Act would provoke.
To help encourage a culture that works with business and the community to get things done.
Let’s Go Invercargill.
DAVID POTTINGER
No response received before deadline.
IAN POTTINGER
Age: 62.
Occupation: Company director.
Question 1: Free thinking is critical for a council to be honest to its community and act as a functioning governance entity. This only works with knowledge of the workings of council and roles of governance versus the roles of management. Too many fall into the failure of groupthink and should not be involved in governance at this level.
Question 2: The main priority is the long-term plan. This 10-year financial/project road map is first developed with sincere and effective public consultation and once established must be adhered to with continued fiscal discipline. ICC has the museum to deliver and to do it in the current volatile building environment, it may have to delay other lower-priority projects. Local government is funded by the ratepayer and no councillor can lose focus on who they are ultimately working for.
NIGEL DEAN SKELT
No response received before deadline.
BEVAN SMITH
Age: 32.
Occupation: Financial adviser.
Question 1: I will listen to and work with all people. I know councillors will not agree all the time, but I will always respect others’ opinions and work towards common ground. I am extremely approachable, and this helps with good communication. The most important consideration is that the council works for the best interest of Invercargill, in an open transparent and honest manner.
Question 2: My main focus will be vibrancy and development, by ensuring council is an enabler and is reducing barriers for businesses to operate. I endeavour to work with like-minded councillors to get the museum open faster than currently planned. Council must focus on core functions, avoid directly getting involved in commercial projects and ensure that future rates increases are below inflation. I also support the current Recycle South contract.
LESLEY SOPER
Age: 67.
Occupation: Lawyer.
Question 1: By doing what I’ve always done. Respecting others. Being professional. Doing the research and reading. Practising patience and due diligence. Listening to the arguments on all sides. Debating the issue, not the person. Using experience with integrity to move the debate forward, not sideways or backwards. Accepting the principle of collective responsibility. Once a decision is made at the table, accept it and get on with implementation, not relitigation.
Question 2: To continue contributing to significant change and improvements locally, for a vibrant city future. To meet the challenges of local government, RMA, Three Waters reform with positivity and southern pride. To advance social and cultural wellbeings for Invercargill, and in particular rebuild our museum and art gallery; preserve unique heritage; work with others on attracting more industry, opportunity and innovation south. Complete the city centre upgrade; develop council housing; and open Invercargill international airport.
BARRY STEWART
No response received before deadline.
LISA TOU-MCNAUGHTON
Age: 56.
Occupation: South Island manager.
Question 1: Inclusive, visionary, transparent and effective leadership is crucial to continue to develop our city and province’s potential. Unity and cohesion within our council chambers will occur when this is achieved.
Our community’s wellbeing should be at the heart of this vision. Leading by example through listening to the needs of our community and developing informed and feasible plans is essential.
When we work together amazing things do and will continue to happen.
Question 2: Fostering unity, transparency, inclusion, and partnership within our council and community — I have a proven track record of bringing people together.
Utilise council and community expertise to continue to positively develop our city and province.
Focus on wellbeing and the environment, supporting youth, elderly, families and communities.
Inclusiveness — increase engagement, participation and representation from, women, Maori, Pacific and other ethnic communities.
Celebration of community events, arts culture and heritage.
