Strong interest in council seat

STEPPING UP: Tracey O'Callaghan has thrown her hat in the ring for the Carterton District Council by-election. PHOTO/FILE

Firm views on local issues spur candidates to stand

Carterton District Council's by-election is heating up with two more candidates set to stand.

Tracey O'Callaghan, a board member of Age Concern Wairarapa and Destination Wairarapa, and a member of the council's economic development working group, has confirmed her intention to run for the seat left vacant by John Booth's promotion to mayor.

She and her partner, Jim Kettle, moved to Wairarapa five years ago and established The Summit Lodge, a sustainable luxury lodge in Gladstone.

Ms O'Callaghan said one of the reasons she decided to stand was to oppose the super city proposal.

"I firmly believe that you can't complain about something unless you are prepared to take action on it."

"I just don't believe that centralisation works. I firmly believe in small communities and local decision making."

Ms O'Callaghan, formerly the president of the Gladstone Sports Complex, has a background in corporate human resources and has worked for a number of organisations in Wellington, including Inland Revenue and Police.

Her experience in research and analysis makes her well-equipped to fight the super city proposal, she said.

"I understand how large organisations work and how the Wellington mindset works, as well as understanding how a small business works, having established one here in Wairarapa."

"I've got quite a good background in both the people side of things in HR and in strategic planning and research. So that's what I'd bring to council, which is a different background to other councillors."

Ms O'Callaghan was nominated by councillors Jill Greathead and Greg Lang.

Also standing in the byelection is business owner and beauty therapist Jacqui Malcolm.

Mrs Malcolm moved to Wairarapa in 2001, after meeting her husband Glenn in the Navy.

She is the president of Friends of St Mary's, a member of the Carterton District Business Incorporated and the Wairarapa A&P Society, secretary of the squash club and was formerly involved with the Wairarapa Parents' Centre.

The mother of two young children, Mrs Malcolm said she wanted to represent the young families of Carterton.

"I'd like there to be a voice for young families ... I want to make sure that we keep in mind the families in the community."

At 35, Mrs Malcolm would be the youngest councillor, if elected.

She was not afraid to stand up for what she believes in, Mrs Malcolm said.

"If I believe in something I'm usually not inclined to back down. I will stand up for a fight if it's needed."

Her financial experience as a business owner, as well as her time as a communications operator in the Navy, gave her a good background for a councillor, she said.

"You've got to work as a team and with multiple levels and all different ages and backgrounds."

Her work in the Navy took her to East Timor, Australia, Asia and throughout the Pacific.

As a beauty therapist, she was also ideally placed to hear the concerns of people in Carterton, Mrs Malcolm said.

Mrs Malcolm was nominated by councillor Greg Lang and St Mary's teacher Amber Gray.

The vicar of St Mark's Anglican Church, Reverend Jenny Chalmers, is also nominated for the vacant position.

Nominations for the byelection close on December 22.