Whangarei's growing population is bringing challenges and benefits. Photo / Michael Cunningham
Whangarei's growing population is bringing challenges and benefits. Photo / Michael Cunningham
Incumbent mayor Sheryl Mai says Whangarei's biggest challenge and strength is its growing population. She says 1000 new residents move to the region a year on average, but that's likely to have risen over the past year.
"With the prices of Auckland real estate, people are looking elsewhere.
"We've certainlyreceived the benefits and a few growing pangs that come with additional demand on infrastructure."
To cope with this the city needed a mayor with long-term thinking and stamina, Mai said.
Revitalising the city centre is also a major focus. "Like many provincial towns, our city centre is suffering from empty shops, which is a concern."
"We should be tapping into the tourist market in a big way to help with unemployment. It's around making sure people want to live, stay and visit Whangarei without our kids leaving town to get jobs."
To do this, Newman thinks a strong leader is needed to make sound investments. "I hear people saying rates are a problem, but the council has got to think about spending money to make money in the future."
Chris Harold of the Whangarei Returned and Services Association is concerned that everyone has become too accustomed to living in debt, including the council.
He said while a mayor needed to be fiscally sensible, the responsibility also lay with councillors and other staff. He thinks the mayor needs to be proactive meeting local residents.
Local engineer and community man Trevor Griffiths wants a "go-ahead council". He said Whangarei had to embrace growth to fulfil its potential and art and culture was an important part of that.
Sheryl Mai is aiming to be re-elected as mayor of the Whangarei District. Photo / John Stone
