There are 55 people running for 33 Western Bay of Plenty District Council seats. Photo / Mead Norton
Eight people are vying for the top job at Western Bay of Plenty District Council, with some new and familiar faces in the mayoral race.
Mayor James Denyer is running again and former Western Bay of Plenty District Council chief executive John Holyoake has thrown his hat in the ring.
Four current councillors – Grant Dally, Rodney Joyce, Margaret Murray-Benge and Don Thwaites – have also put their hands up for the mayoralty, along with newcomers Danielle Borell-Faa’soo and Suaree Borell. Borell, Thwaites, Murray-Benge and Joyce also ran for mayor in 2022.
Candidate nominations for the October 11 election closed on Friday, with 55 people running for 33 positions – down from 69 candidates for 32 positions in 2022.
The district will elect a mayor and nine councillors from three general wards and the district’s first Māori ward, Waka Kai Uru.
Two community board areas only had as many candidates as there were seats.
Bevan Rakoia and Keith Wisnesky have been elected to the Kaimai East subdivision of the Ōmokoroa–Kaimai Community Board, and Sally Benning and Manvir Singh Mann to the Eastern seats of the Te Puke–East Community Board.
If Mann won the councillor seat he was also standing for, there would be a byelection to replace him in the Eastern seat, electoral officer Warwick Lampp said.
All other wards, boards and subdivisions of boards had enough candidates for a contest.
Residents will vote for a mayor, their ward councillors, and – except Matakana Island and Rangiwaea Island – their community board representatives.
Danielle Borell-Faa’soo
Borell-Faa’soo said she is committed to empowering youth and amplifying their voices in civic decision-making.
“The 18- to 28-year-olds are the lowest-enrolled demographic. I aim to raise awareness and encourage active participation in the electoral process.”
She said fostering a community that values youth input would ensure the Western Bay was “the place” to live, work and play.
“My whānau have held whenua [land] in Whakamārama for five generations, and we are committed to being here for the next five generations at least.”
Borell-Faa’soo is also standing in the Kaimai Ward.
Grant Dally
Grant Dally lives with his wife Rhonda, their daughter and 6-year-old grandson on a Te Puke lifestyle property.
He had a career background in engineering, sales and governance, and has been a councillor for nine years and a community board representative for 15 years.
“I’ve been active in grassroots creative, environmental and motorsport group governance for 25+ years.”
His platform included collaborative, inclusive leadership, public workshops and a focus on the basics: maintaining roads/reserves, fixing potholes effectively, clearing culverts, good planning for climate events, population growth, more houses and traffic.
He said the talk of amalgamation and Government intervention was concerning, and local democracy was “under threat”.
“I’ll keep fighting for the little guy and the big issues.”
Dally is also standing in the Maketu-Te Puke Ward.
James Denyer
The incumbent mayor, elected in 2022, Denyer said he sought re-election to bring experienced leadership at a “time of change in local government”.
“I want to continue to deliver on critical infrastructure and ongoing negotiations with central government are under way to achieve this.”
He said he had held community leadership roles including as president of Katikati Rotary, chair of Aongatete Forest Project and as a board member of Bay Conservation Alliance.
“I want to see efficient services, effective planning for our future, and sound financial management to deliver the best for our district and its people.”
John Holyoake
Holyoake stepped down as chief executive of the council in April after holding the role since mid-2021.
He said the experience meant he understood the challenges and opportunities facing Western Bay communities “better than anyone”.
These included rates adding to cost-of-living struggles and the high-growth region’s expensive infrastructure needs.
Holyoake said the council needed to be “smarter about how it spends your money”.
With 20 years’ executive leadership experience, he said he succeeded “through team” and strong relationships with the commercial sector, community, mana whenua and central government.
“I know what great governance looks like. Something our council is lacking. Something I can fix.”
Rodney Joyce
Joyce said the council faced “substantial change” in the next three years and “business as usual” was not sustainable.
“We must lower costs or you face paying a lot more through increased waters charges and higher rates.”
He said the district had strong, vibrant communities, and he and his family loved the district’s natural beauty and important rural sector.
Joyce said only efficient delivery of core services would ensure residents and local treasures were looked after. He had “consistently championed greater efficiency”.
Joyce is also standing in the Katikati Waihī Beach Ward.
Margaret Murray-Benge
Murray-Benge said she was standing for mayor and councillor because the council needed to “refocus on people”.
She had more than 30 years in local government, with more than a decade of that representing Kaimai.
“I’ve fought for safer roads like SH29 and the Ōmokoroa intersection, pushed to keep rate increases under control, and stood firmly against wasteful spending.”
She pledged to speak up “even when it’s unpopular”.
Murray-Benge said she believed ratepayers were being “forgotten” after recent decisions about council-controlled organisations.
Reform was needed to protect ratepayers’ interest.
Murray-Benge is also standing in the Kaimai Ward.
Don Thwaites
Thwaites, a long-time councillor, said his first priority was restoring accurate monthly financial reporting to councillors and ratepayers.
“Every dollar of the $140m+ spent annually must deliver for our district.”
He said he would control rates and bring them in line with inflation by returning to a focus on core council business.
That meant putting “the big five” first: roading, reserves and recreation, rainwater management, rubbish and libraries would come first.
He said regulatory costs (building inspections and consent compliance) must be monitored and cost-neutral.
Thwaites is also standing in the Kaimai Ward.
Suaree Borell
Suaree Borrel did not provide a statement but has previously said her ancestors have lived in Whakamārama for more than 130 years.
She listed housing infrastructure, roading and government reforms as her top priorities during her 2022 mayoral campaign.
Borrel is also standing in the Waka Kai Uru Ward.
Drew Cowley
Cowley grew up in the Bay of Plenty region and returned to Te Puna with his family a decade ago. Actively involved in community advocacy through Priority Te Puna, he said he is passionate about the community and wants to see it thrive.
Cowley said he is committed to delivering outstanding and transparent results that contribute to the success of our district.
Tracey Coxhead
Coxhead said she enjoys working with the local community and is grateful to everyday people who speak up and take action, as listening helped guide her decisions.
Elected members genuinely want to make the district a better place and had dealt with difficult decisions thoughtfully. As a current councillor, there was unfinished work she would like to be part of.
Chris Dever
Dever said he brings a strong blend of rural roots and executive leadership in both business and government. He is the Ōmokoroa Community Board chairman and a Justice of the Peace, marriage celebrant and Rotarian.
He is calling for greater council transparency, smarter use of rates and better public engagement. He believes fast-growing areas like Ōmokoroa and Te Puna need reliable infrastructure, clean water and better transport.
Graeme Elvin
A former partner at Mackenzie Elvin, he said he is experienced in navigating complex legal issues.
Elvin is co-chair of the Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation, chair of Te Puna Rugby Sports and Cultural Club and a former board member of Bay Venues, Northern Districts Cricket and the Chiefs. He said he would provide strong leadership and believed this has not been apparent, especially in decisions affecting the Kaimai Ward.
Murray Grainger
As a qualified resource management hearings chair with relevant university qualifications, Grainger said he understands issues that come to the council table.
His career spans central government, engineering consultancy, private small business and being a director of IT for a major UK charity. He has broad exposure to governance challenges and an understanding of the technology matters and challenges of council. Grainger said he would continue his nine-year record of service and delivery if elected.
Destiny Leaf
No photo or information provided.
John Clements
As chair of the Katikati Community Board, Clements said he has focused on economic development, the environment and ratepayers.
The 33% rate increase over the past three years has impacted residents’ wellbeing, living costs and employment and he would focus on rate increases, core council responsibilities and protecting the environment. Clements has held senior roles in capital-intensive industries and run his own business, focusing on leadership, productivity and change management.
Allan Sole
A current Katikati-Waihī Beach Ward councillor, Sole is standing to give strong governance for the council.
With a background in business and years of governance experience, he said he brings practical knowledge and a people-first approach and works hard to listen and ensure people’s voices are heard while pushing for prioritising essential services before extras, with tighter control over spending and debt.
Sole does not support Māori wards, saying “unity, not division”.
Candice Thomas
Her hometown is Katikati. Thomas is a mother of three, a university graduate, a committee member and currently practising as a secondary school teacher.
She is also a board member for Ngāti Ranginui iwi as a marae representative.
Thomas said she has learned a lot about the lifestyles, local people, education systems, health standards, housing needs, community and public spaces within Katikati. Being a councillor was important because they were responsible for making good decisions.
Andy Earl
No photo or information provided.
Wayne Stevenson
No photo or information provided.
Shane Beech
Beech said he wants to be a strong, community-focused voice for the region. He is passionate about supporting residents, volunteers and community groups, and would advocate for smart, balanced growth that protects rural character and backs the vital agricultural and horticultural sectors.
Beech said the district needs improved infrastructure, sustainable development and responsible use of rates.
John Bowden
Bowden owns a business in Te Puke with his wife Tash and children. They are involved in the community through business, health, sport and recreation.
Bowden said he is driven and goal-orientated and will particularly focus on the basics of roads, water, rates and public spaces. Resources must be used wisely and prudently during these tough economic times to make sure the needs of the community are met, he said.
Manvir Singh Mann
Mann said he believes he has what it takes to serve Te Puke and its people in the right manner. As a young person, he said he has a productive and creative approach to issues, whether that was traffic, infrastructure or spending locals’ hard-earned money sensibly and responsibly.
Andy Wichers
Serving a term on the council had broadened Wicher’s understanding of local governance, equipping him to serve more effectively. He has a background in farming, trades and business ownership, with directorships in engineering and horticulture plus many years of school governance.
Wicher said he is well prepared for navigating upcoming changes such as the waters reform, pending legislative reform and appointing a new chief executive for the organisation.
Laura Rae
No photo or information provided.
Carlton Bidois
Suaree Borell
Darlene Dinsdale
The candidates did not provide photos or information.
Katikati Community Board (4 vacancies)
John Clements
Barry Ebert
Anne Henry
Norm Mayo
Annie McClenaghan
James Sayer
Puran Singh
Candice Thomas
Maketū Community Board (4 vacancies)
Sue Elliot
Weina Moko
Stephan Simpson
Cecil (Moki) Thomas
Leni (Beau) Walters
Aleisha Waterhouse
Waihī Beach Community Board (4 vacancies)
Ross Goudie
Heather Guptill
Annette Inglis
Gail Kelly
Nicky Mowat
Wayne Stevenson
Ōmokoroa Community Board Subdivision (2 vacancies)
Chris Dever
Allan Hughes
Murray Marshall
Kaimai West Community Board Subdivision (2 vacancies)
Tina Akuhata
Cherie Palm
Tania Tuhakaraina
Kaimai East Community Board Subdivision (2 vacancies)
Bevan Rakoia
Keith Wisnesky
Te Puke Community Board Subdivision (3 vacancies)
Kassie Ellis
Dale Snell
Karen Summerhays
Marara Williams
Eastern Community Board Subdivision (2 vacancies)
Sally Benning
Manvir Singh Mann.
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– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.