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As the final Kaipara District Council (KDC) meeting for the current term wrapped up on September 24, the three councillors not seeking re-election were farewelled.
Mike Howard (Kaiwaka-Mangawhai), Eryn Wilson-Collins (Wairoa) and Ron Manderson (Otamatea) all stepped down after a combined 12 years of dedicated service to their wards and the wider district.
Sadly, Cr Manderson, aged 83, passed away on September 27, four days after officially retiring. The Maungatūroto resident of more than 25 years was elected to KDC in 2022, and served on several committees including Economic Development and Audit, Risk and Finance, and was a member of the Engineering Standards Working Group and the District Plan Review Working Group. Cr Manderson’s funeral was held in Whangarei last Thursday, October 2.
Cr Howard also contributed to a range of committees, including Awards and Grants, Audit, Risk and Finance, Remuneration and Development, and Economic Development.
Reflecting on his single three-year term, he said the first two years were a whirlwind of learning the ropes, but added that he had loved the experience.
“I’m happy to say I feel totally at ease with the decisions I’ve made, always with the district’s best interests in mind,” he said. “Some have raised concerns about block voting, but it’s not an aberration for people to share similar views and vote accordingly. That’s democracy.”
Howard thanked council staff for their support, and Mangawhai and Kaiwaka ratepayers, who helped make his journey meaningful. He also expressed gratitude to former councillor Peter Wethey, who nominated him, and to his wife Ali and family for their support.
“They know better than anyone how much I’ve enjoyed the engagement.”
After serving two terms as a representative for Dargaville and Wairoa Ward, Cr Wilson-Collins said leaving was bittersweet.
“It’s a decision that hasn’t been made lightly, but it’s the right decision for me. I have some personal goals that I want to achieve and I can’t do those while I am serving.”
During her term, Wilson-Collins chaired the Awards and Grants Committee and served on the Audit, Risk and Finance Committee, as well as the Dargaville Town Hall Working Group.
“At the end of the day, everybody who makes it to this table really believes that they’re doing their best and that they’re making the right decisions,” she says. “The only thing we really disagree on is who those ‘right decisions’ should be made for.”
She hoped the elected members after October 11 would form a team that worked collaboratively for the good of the district, saying that while political views should be different, working together was most important.
While expressing heartfelt thanks to the public for their support and trust, Wilson-Collins recalled the large number of residents who approached her following the Māori ward vote, as uplifting and “restored some faith in our community.”
“I also need to thank council staff, present and past. I absolutely admire your professionalism and your composure,” she said, before quipping, “I’m not shutting the door entirely, however – I might still try and get those mayoral robes.”
Mayor Craig Jepson presented each councillor with a kauri tree in recognition of their contributions to council and community, and extended council’s appreciation of the work they had done.
Election process
Although unofficial elections results will be available soon after polling closes at midday on Saturday October 11, official results are not expected to be declared until around October 17 or 18. Incoming elected members cannot act until they have made their statutory declarations at the inaugural meeting, scheduled for October 30, or November 5 if a recount is lodged. The incoming mayor will then establish a new committee structure, which is likely to be soon after the inaugural meeting. Delegations have been made for any urgent decisions during the period from council’s last meeting until the official results declaration, and the period between the new council coming into office.
