Around the country, mayors are reaching the half-way point in their three-year terms.
Local Focus journalist Patrick O'Sullivan talked with Masterton mayor Lyn Patterson, on what makes Masterton special and the challenges ahead.
Patterson said Masterton had a caring community with a high level of volunteer community work but was "desperately" in need of an air service, after Air New Zealand pulled out several years ago. She said talks were underway with two carriers.
Masterton was not alone in New Zealand with the need to address costly infrastructure upgrades, especially related to water reticulation and sewage, she said.
It was a task made bigger with a limited number of ratepayers relative to the cost.
While rental housing was under pressure, Masterton received "huge benefits" from people moving to Masterton from main centres.
"We have building consents – resource consents – at their highest levels for decades," she said.
"There is a lot of building, a lot of activity, a lot of work and jobs happening, so that is really exciting."
Made with funding from