Sally Butler announces candidacy for CHB mayor

On the tails of one Butler announcing his exit from the Central Hawke's Bay mayoralty race, another is entering, with fourth-term councillor Sally Butler yesterday announcing her bid for the position in the coming local body elections.

Mrs Butler, the sister-in-law of retiring mayor Peter Butler, said she would not have stood against him if he was still running as she believed he was doing a very good job.

With the prospect of new councillors coming into office, however, coupled with a lot of big issues facing the district, she felt the experience she could offer was valuable.

"There's a lot of things coming up with the dam, the Building Consent Authority review, and the district plan review. With my experience I can offer a safe pair of hands, and being head of the finance committee for the last two terms my financial management is strong.

"There are things that need to be done but we can do that at a steady pace without getting the district indebted, just as we have been doing.

"We've kept rates down but have still been able to invest in projects such as the roundabout, the libraries and Russell Park."

She said getting to grips with council processes took some time for newcomers, and that her experience would be an advantage.

"For someone who has not been on council before, the first couple of years are spent learning the detail of how it works.

"It can be done by someone new but unless you're like Peter and put eight hours a day to it, it's a big ask - you have to be carried by other councillors and staff."

She said if she was elected she would be encouraging better training and induction for new councillors.

To date the only other person running for mayor is Waipukurau businesswoman Alex Walker.