Councillors eye higher council callings

South Wairarapa councillor Colin Olds, left, may seek the mayoralty of South Wairarapa, while Masterton District councillor David Holmes has his sights set on a regional council seat. PHOTO/FILE

A second candidate for the mayoralty of South Wairarapa is in the wings with district councillor Colin Olds now considering standing for the top job.

Mr Olds, a first-term councillor, this week confirmed he is weighing up the option of putting his name forward after being approached by several electors and people involved in local government and asked to do so.

"I am now assessing the time commitments the mayor's job would entail and will make up my mind a bit closer to the time nominations are sought," he said.

Although only having the benefit of a single term representing the Featherston ward, Mr Olds, 63, has had a close connection with council for many years having been employed as the coastal ranger.

He said he feels he has "the fundamentals" to do the job and is particularly keen to make sure South Wairarapa district is in the right place when the Local Government Commission comes down with final proposals for the future governance of Wairarapa.

Should he stand, then it would ensure the bid for the mayoralty is not a one-horse race, as last week Graham Higginson confirmed he would seek the mayoralty being vacated after 12 years by incumbent Adrienne Staples.

Mr Higginson said he had been toying with standing before Mrs Staples made her decision to retire from the job.

In Masterton, district councillor David Holmes has confirmed he will not stand for another term but will instead seek election as Wairarapa's representative on the Greater Wellington Regional Council.

Mr Holmes will have completed four consecutive terms in October and had previously served as a district councillor for two years when he joined council after a by-election in the wake of the resignation of Chris Mills.

He said yesterday he felt he had had his "fair share of local council" and wanted to represent the district in Wellington.

Mr Holmes is looked on as an authority on water, in particular river management, and is a member of the Ruamahanga Whaitua.

He has been the most vocal district councillor on the Homebush wastewater project but said yesterday he was not seeking a regional council position simply to pursue Homebush issues.

"I look upon Homebush as a work in progress and will not take my focus off it, but my aim is to represent Wairarapa on all issues, especially on matters involving the farming community," Mr Holmes said.

His intention to stand for regional council has been welcomed by retiring Wairarapa councillor Gary McPhee who has endorsed Mr Holmes' intention to stand.