Hastings District councillor Ann Redstone resigns after Parkinson’s diagnosis

Hastings councillor Ann Redstone has resigned for health reasons. Photo / Hastings District Council

Hastings District councillor Ann Redstone has stepped down from council after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

The councillor from the Heretaunga ward posted the news to social media on Friday, stating it was her last day.

A three-month byelection process now begins to replace her in the seat.

She said she had “absolutely loved” the job of serving the Heretaunga and wider Hastings District constituents.

She told Hawke’s Bay Today she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s about a year ago and while she was still okay, she was starting to feel the impact and wanted to leave before she wasn’t okay.

“It wasn’t easy ... but I also think this is an opportunity to get someone else in the seat for half of the term.

“If I left it too long we wouldn’t need to have a byelection and that means we’d have an empty seat for a while and that didn’t seem fair to the ratepayers either.”

She said she hadn’t wanted to force a byelection through the Christmas period but with everyone back, now was the “optimum” time to start the process.

“We’re hoping to get someone really good for the seat and they’ll get 18 months’ experience and decide if they want to stand again.”