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Home / The Country

Former mayor, councillor and dairy farmer stands for Horizons

Laurel Stowell
By Laurel Stowell
Reporter·Whanganui Chronicle·
21 Aug, 2019 05:00 PM2 mins to read

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Weston Kirton is trying for a second three years on Horizons Regional Council. Photo / Supplied

Weston Kirton is trying for a second three years on Horizons Regional Council. Photo / Supplied

He was the mayor of Ruapehu for six years and a Horizons councillor for three - now Weston Kirton is throwing his hat in the ring again.

He's standing for Bruce Rollinson's seat, representing the Ruapehu District on Horizons Regional Council.

Kirton milked cows on a Taumarunui farm for 30 years and said he is familiar with all the dairy compliance "rammed down farmers' necks big-time" and the controversial One Plan.

Most farmers - dairy and sheep and beef - are familiar with the environmental pressure they are under and respond very well, he said.

He also has an interest in transport, having once owned Ruapehu Taxis.

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"There are no taxis and no public transport [in the district] now," he said.

"I'd like to get involved in public transport throughout the whole district. I'm hoping I can help in that area."

Kirton was a Ruapehu councillor before being the district's mayor from 1995-2001 - during an eruption of Mt Ruapehu and the Raurimu massacre, he remembers.

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In 2002 and 2005 he stood for the National Party's Taupō seat, but was unsuccessful. Heading back into politics he stood for Horizons and was its Ruapehu councillor from 2005-2008, when he lost out to Michael Plowman.

Aged 64 and semi-retired, he was approached to stand again and thought he would "give it another go".

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