" This investment is paying off with the increase in summer tourists. The bike trails are being promoted both nationally and internationally. With the reduction of population we need the visitors spending to help keep our businesses viable."
Mrs Dowsett was involved with fundraising for the new Waimarino Ambulance Station and is chair of the Waimarino Budget Service's management committee.
Being on council was both demanding and stimulating and next term would be no different.
"I have found the time on Ruapehu District Council to be at times challenging, interesting and exciting and I think the next three years will be equally so."
Ben Goddard
In his second tilt for re-election to the Waimarino-Waiouru Ward, Ohakune man Ben Goddard is "determined to ensure sensible cost-effective outcomes around spending and debt reduction".
Mr Goddard wants to see that the community's water resources, infrastructure and assets are managed around continued sustainability and new business initiatives that create job opportunities and community benefits are welcomed.
"The importance of tourism to our community's sustainability is paramount, and council must encourage every effort around the tourist industry to support the promotion of the Ruapehu District as a world-class tourist destination."
Mr Goddard says he looks forward to again providing a strong ratepayer voice.
"I am absolutely dedicated to working with an enthusiastic community, to face the challenges and build a bright future together."
On August 6, Mr Goddard received the honour of "Member to the Order of St John" in recognition of his services to the community and to St John.
David Nottage
David Nottage, a self-employed businessman who has lived in Ohakune for 23 years, is campaigning for a healthy, clean and prosperous Waimarino.
He brought the successful Ruapehu Snow Queen to the town - now in its third year - and was responsible for the lights at the Jubilee Park and in the fir trees at the Junction.
Health is one of his core themes for the ward based on his life-changing experience in the past two months which saw him admitted to the cardiac unit at Wellington Hospital. "The beat goes on," he is relieved to say.
He said the Ngati Rangi Whanau Transformation Project ticks a lot of those boxes for the ward's health and well-being and also brings the community together.
He wants to see more cycle tracks around the district.
Mr Nottage says the Lines Company and their "extortionist charges" which stifle growth in the district are also in his sights.
It was wrong that the National Park School could not open its pool last year because of the electricity charges.
And if there was a council amalgamation the Wanganui-born candidate says he would like to join with Wanganui.
Peter Pehi
Peter Pehi is a mayoral candidate for the Ruapehu District Council and standing for the Waimarino-Waiouru ward.
"I'm not putting all my eggs in one basket," says the 47-year old, because if he was to miss out on the mayoralty, which he admits to having an outside chance, he would still like to work for the community.
Mr Pehi is a certified Permaculture practitioner on his 800-acre National Park farm where he is building an Earth house. He is standing on the principles of economic growth, sustainable growth in tourism, agriculture and local enterprise.
"I believe our thinking has to change. We need to be flexible, lean and adaptable. We need to ditch things we thought we needed, and design new ways of doing things to suit our aspirations for our community; caring for our elderly, planning for our youth, and supporting businesses."
He is a member of the Ruapehu District Maori Council, a rural fireman, and trustee on Parewaewae Land Trust and Tohu ki te Rangi Marae. Of Tuwharetoa, Maniapoto and Uenuku, he returned to live at National Park seven years ago.
Tira Pehi
Tira Pehi is standing for the first time in the Waimarino-Waiouru Ward. She wants to assist the Ruapehu District Council (RDC) fulfill its stewardship role as defined in the Resource Management Act (RMA) and the RDC Plan.
"The ethics that underpin hapu and iwi responsibility to practice kaitiakitanga - as defined in the RMA - are based on spiritual and cultural practices and wise resource management to ensure a healthy environment for future generations."
Ms Pehi has an MBA, majoring in advanced marketing, entrepreneurship and innovation. In the past seven years Ms Pehi operated her own business consultancy and assisted businesses in the start-up stage of research and development of products, strategy planning, licensing, accounting and marketing functions.
She is involved with the Waitangi Tribunal hearings in the Whanganui and Tongariro National Parks.
The Raetihi Pa is Ms Pehi's marae, Uenuku her iwi and Ngati Hinewai her hapu, and she is from the Turoa whanau line. She is a mother of five children with four mokopuna.