Eyeing up the top job

Central Hawke's Bay businesswoman Alex Walker is throwing her hat into the ring and standing for mayor at this year's local body elections.

Central Hawke's Bay businesswoman Alex Walker is throwing her hat into the ring and standing for mayor at this year's local body elections.

To date, the only other candidate to come forward and announced they will bid for the mayoralty is current CHB mayor Peter Butler.

Ms Walker said she was standing with an aim to providing a young, fresh approach to council leadership in the district.

"My vision is for a vibrant, innovative and energetic community," she said.

"We have important opportunities facing our district as water and regional investment increases and we need to be ready to make the most of them.

"We need local governance that is sustainable, future-focused, customer friendly, and positive in its leadership of our people."

Having grown up on a sheep, beef and deer farm in the Oueroa district, Ms Walker said she left behind a corporate marketing position to return to Central Hawke's Bay five years ago.

She said she brings a master's degree in microbiology, and agri-business experience from working in the New Zealand branch of a multi-national animal health company.

She lives in Central Hawke's Bay with her partner Billy Nesbit and three young daughters.

At the beginning of 2014 she started up Waipukurau business The Chook House, which she described as a professional space for people in small businesses, or who work at home, to use either as a place of work or to get like-minded people together.

Out and about in the community she has made long-term volunteer and musical contributions to the Waipawa Musical and Dramatic Club and been on the board of St Joseph's Primary School.