Current deputy mayor Ann Court says she's done her apprenticeship in local government with two terms on the community board and three on council, making her the best qualified candidate to lead the Far North.
"We don't have the luxury of time to indoctrinate want-to-be mayors. We don't need candidates who promise the world but can't deliver the goods. We don't need passengers, we need someone who can hit the ground running and effect positive change."
The Waipapa resident said the Far North was the most beautiful district in the country and offered the most potential. It was vitally important to protect and enhance its lifestyle at the same time as harnessing its economic opportunity.
Over the past few years the council had managed to keep delivering services as well as completing new works in a challenging economic climate, but it had come at a cost.
"We must deliver affordable sewer and water reticulation which enhances and protects our environment, at the same time we need fair and equal access to roading. We need to put the mojo back into local communities, and we must guide local government reform to ensure the voice of the Far North is heard both locally and in Wellington." Ms Court said she knew local government better than any other candidate, and could use that knowledge to help deliver better results.
* The seven candidates contesting the Far North mayoralty are Wayne Brown, John Carter, Ann Court, Mita Harris, Rueben Taipari Porter, Allan Titford and Sarah Watson. Their profiles are being run in alphabetical order.