A desire to see improvements and a change of governance at the Hastings District Council has prompted Hastings councillor Simon Nixon to stand for mayor at the upcoming byelection.
Earlier this month, current mayor Lawrence Yule announced his resignation on August 28, preceded by an unpaid leave of absence from June 23, in order to undertake his National Party campaign for the Tukituki seat.
Hastings councillor Adrienne Pierce also announced she would resign at the same time to pursue her National Party ambitions in Palmerston North, again with unpaid leave of absence from June 23.
Nominations for the vacant mayoral and council seats were due to open on August 31 and close on September 28, and to date current deputy mayor Sandra Hazlehurst and Hastings councillor Bayden Barber had announced their intention to run for mayor.
Mr Nixon said he was not doing any major preparation at this point with the close of nominations still more than four months away, but given recent events, such as the water issues and lack of sections for housing, he decided the council needed a change of direction and governance.