Hastings/Havelock North ward byelection candidates share their views

LINED UP: Bruce Bisset (left), Eileen Lawson, Rion Roben, Waitawhara Tupaea, Rizwanna Latiff, Wendy Schollum, Jason Whaitiri, at the Hawke's Bay Today byelection debate. PHOTO/DUNCAN BROWN

The council candidates at last night's Hawke's Bay Today debate put forward impassioned reasons why people should vote for them in the Hastings/Havelock North ward byelection. Held at the Hawke's Bay Today offices in Heretaunga Street, moderated by editor Andrew Austin and livestreamed on Facebook, the debate featured candidates Jason Whaitiri, Eileen Lawson, Rizwanna Latiff, Waitawhara Tupaea, Wendy Schollum, Rion Roben and Bruce Bisset.

The words "passion", "communication", "community", "future", were common to all the individuals putting their hands up to deliver their vision for the district they profess to be committed to.

Similarly, water, housing (both quantity and affordability), and employment were issues raised by many as ones most urgently in need of addressing.

When asked what unique attributes they offered, long-time Whakatu resident and meat industry worker Jason Whaitiri said he had many connections throughout the community, and had gained governance skills from his school board experience.

"I am approachable and my core values are to treat people how you would like to be treated, have a good work ethic and be a good citizen.

"I know what I am in for and am prepared to step out of my job to do this - it's about the ratepayers."

Businesswoman Wendy Schollum said she would be efficient and future-focused, accountable and prudent in managing ratepayers' money, "treating every cent I'm entrusted with as if it is my own".

"My business background, my stage of life and passion for my home will allow me to bring unique skills to council."

Nurse and independent midwife Rizwanna Latiff said she considered being on council as more of a vocation than a job.

"I bring a different age, gender and outlook - as a council we need to represent the change of demographics in Hastings in recent years.

"I have developed the ability to listen and advocate."

Waitawhara Tupaea said he decided to run for a position on council, whether as a mayor or councillor, in response to the pain of many in the community who did not feel that they belonged in society.

"I am running because I want a better society, a fairer society.

"I do not have the experience of the other candidates but I am standing because I want to realise a vision that's not just perpetuating the status quo, but which is about people and working for them ... for economic, social and environmental justice."

Having moved from Auckland to Hastings, Rion Roben said that although many councillors had business experience or had governance roles on boards and trusts, he brought vision.

"I'm someone that looks to the future - and I'm slightly alarmed that people are not addressing the issue of automation.

"I'm progressive - lets not lose sight of what's coming on the horizon - I'm the person who is thinking outside the box."

Business owner and Heretaunga Women's Centre chairwoman Eileen Lawson said, having moved to the region 21 years ago, she brought a different view.

"I noticed when I moved here the lack of collaboration between councils. I thought I was coming to Hawke's Bay region but I soon found it was quite divided.

"It's very important to work with other councils for a joint vision."

Hawke's Bay Today columnist Bruce Bisset said he brought previous political experience from his years on the Waiheke Island Community Board, as well as journalism training and years of political activism.

"I have the ability to take on the technical aspects of the job as well as the visioning side of things.

"I know how to be effective."

All candidates were asked if they thought the council had handled the Havelock North water crisis adequately and if they would have done anything differently.

Mr Roben said that councillors did not necessarily have oversight over all the decisions made in terms of water management, and said he would have taken more responsibility.

Mr Tupaea said he did not want to pass judgement but that he would have had more dialogue around building up shared community values over the care for water and the land.

Ms Latiff said, as a health professional, she thought the situation was handled as best as it could be, and that people were at least now aware of the issues.

A review of communication streams was an area Mrs Schollum said could improve as a result of the water crisis, echoed by Mr Whaitiri who said not all people had access to social media and emails.

Mr Bisset also agreed the communication to the community at the time of the event was not ideal and said he felt there should have been more accountability.

"It would have been nice for someone to do the honourable thing and say to residents it's not entirely my fault but I'm out of here."

Hindsight was a great thing, said Mrs Lawson, who added that it was important to learn from the event and work out how to move forward and ensure it never happened again.

Go to the Hawke's Bay Today Facebook page to see footage of the full debate.

Tonight people are invited to the the Hastings mayoral candidate debate, being hosted by Hawke's Bay Today at Karamu High School, starting at 6pm.