Local government candidates have their say

Another three Rotorua residents have been nominated for election to the Rotorua District Council. Making their nominations yesterday were Bill Hedges, who is also running for election to the Lakes District Health Board, Hemi Bennett and Helen Hindmarsh, who is also running for mayor. Nominations for this year's local government elections close today at noon and the election will be by postal ballot ending on October 12.

Bill Hedges:

A father of three of Maori and European descent, Mr Hedges has spent most of his working life in Rotorua, apart from a stint in the armed forces as an apprentice.

Mr Hedges also stood in the council's 2011 byelection.

"Your outcome, unfortunately, was relative to the amount of money spent and if you have the gift of the gab people will follow you a long way to unfulfilled promises."

He said being a councillor was a job, not a lifestyle.

"Our biggest problem is no one is looking at people flow.

"Our tourism does not work with our town, but more against it, the town just doesn't work full stop, and there is no industry that supports our skill set here like apprentice schemes for which our population is the strongest.

"Then my pet concern is the congestion around our schools, no one is addressing that at all.

"That's the safety of our children. While we promote how great a biking area Rotorua is, it is just too dangerous for our own children to bike to school.

"I don't have the gift of the gab like the rest - my motto is 'do it now'."

Hemi Bennett:

Is of Ngati Whakaue, Ngati Pikiao and Ngati Porou descent and describes himself as a "driven" person "focused to the task at hand to make sure I do not fail to deliver".

Mr Bennett is a graduate of Victoria University where he studied computer science and has worked for IBM in London and later for IBM in Auckland working as a service delivery manager for companies such as Telecom, Carter Holt Harvey and Woolworths.

Mr Bennett, his wife Emily and son James have lived in Rotorua since 2004.

He is currently developing software for WiRi - Whanau intelligence Re-invented - a hi-tech Maori applications development company.

"What I love about Rotorua is it has the natural beauty, one of the best lake districts in the country, fishing, geothermal activity, the Redwoods, the Maori culture and events that makes it a great place to live and bring up a family.

"I wanted to inject a young 44 years of Te Arawa blood who has an international world view of corporate and life experience."

 

Helen Hindmarsh:

Mrs Hindmarsh describes herself as ordinary, approachable, accessible and "delighting in a shared smile".

She said she was concerned Rotorua's quality of life was not what it could be and wants to give new life to Rotorua's old motto of "tatou tatou" - we together.

"Our collective dedication to the health and wellbeing of our land, waters and natural environments actualises 'tatou tatou'. Working together adds to the quality of life.

"Committed, supportive, encouraging, I support local business without prejudice. Provision of employment, goods and services are essential to the socio-economic health, wealth and wellbeing of the community."

A former registered nurse, she has been married to Ian Hindmarsh for almost 30 years and has two adult children who live and work overseas.

She says Rotorua's history and heritage are not being respected and was prompted to run for council after making a submission during the recent Annual Plan process.

"I picked up a copy of the Annual Plan and was horrified. The old processes of thinking have continued to cloud their decisions," she said.