Waiver issued to candidate

A local government candidate with interests in contracts over $25,000 is required to seek a waiver under the Local Authorities Act. Photo / Hinerangi Vaimoso

Napier City Council candidate Mark Hamilton has received a waiver from the Local Government Commission, should he be elected.

Mr Hamilton is managing director and part owner of Alexander Construction, which has a $976,000 sewage contract with the council.

A local government candidate with interests in contracts over $25,000 is required to seek a waiver under the Local Authorities Act.

"I was exempt because the jobs we tendered for have already been awarded," he said.

Progress payments on a current $976,000 sewage contract would be run past the commission "so everything is transparent".

He said if elected he would have to declare a conflict of interest on any matters "which applies to most councillors on various things".

Alexander Construction was founded in Hawke's Bay in 1945 and recently completed the $5 million redevelopment of the Wairoa Health Centre.