My Account
Kaipara voters will go to the polls next month with a new representative arrangement.
Instead of eight councillors and a Mayor, spread across four wards, representation for will see nine councillors, plus a Mayor elected-at-large.
Councillors will represent Wairoa (merging previous Dargaville and West Coast/Central Wards) with three councillors, Otamatea Ward with two councillors, Kaiwaka-Mangawhai Ward with three councillors, and one councillor elected to represent Te Moananui o Kaipara Ward (Māori ward). There are currently no community boards in the Kaipara District.
Following incumbent Mayor Dr Jason Smith’s decision to shift his political aspirations to Wellington, six candidates have put their names forward for the job. They are Victoria De La Varis-Woodcock, Craig Jepson, Karen Joyce Paki, Brenden Nathan, Ash Nayyer and Gordon Walker.
Kaipara had an estimated resident population of 26,000 in 2021, with the forecast showing the population rising to 28,524 by 2031. Most of Kaipara’s growth has been focused around Mangawhai and the south-east of the district; those parts which are closest to Auckland. Migrants to Kaipara are typically those nearing retirement age, though young families are increasingly represented. Source, Infometrics
Ash Nayyar
“I am a person of integrity, responsible and fair-minded. I have been ratepayer/resident of Kaipara for six years and I am an experienced banker who has helped to turn around many struggling businesses into profitable ones. I am a person who can help people obtain bank finance by providing consulting services. I am actively involved in community activities of the local Rotary Club and a Past President. My wife and I immigrated to NZ in 2001 with our two children aged seven and 10 with prospects of a better life for them. Both are now engineers and successful in their respective professions. In 2020, we were blessed with a grandson who is the apple of our eyes. My wife enjoys gardening, so we’ve established a greenhouse where we grow fresh organic vegetables for selling to the locals. I have a Bachelor of Commerce and Laws, MBA-Finance (McGill-Canada).”
My priorities are your priorities:
• Improve infrastructure and roads, drainage, and all water needs at no additional cost to ratepayers.
• Encourage eco-tourism; make Kaipara a tourist destination and a bustling district where young and old will like to live, work and have fun together.
• Contribute to the Council in financial matters, cut down wasteful expenditure on unnecessary consultants and unviable projects so savings can be utilised to keep the rates affordable.
• Improve waste management and provide a reliable and friendly recycling collection service.
• Be your voice in the Council to ensure your money is carefully managed to enhance local businesses and communities.
• Endeavour to lead a team of councillors who provide robust, fair and transparent decision-making to deliver the
best outcomes.
• Grow Kaipara region as an inclusive and prosperous community through good management, open decision making and by listening to the needs of fellow citizens including youth and the elderly,
• Lead with integrity, honesty and commitment to help create a better Kaipara.
Victoria del la Varis-Woodcock
Victoria del la Varis-Woodcock has her hand up for the Kaipara District Council Mayoralty as a well-rounded candidate with a firm plan to deliver for ratepayers. Having raised a family, produced the Love Kaipara waste minimisation programme, and served as a two-term councillor, Victoria has steadiness, financial acumen and political experience. A master’s degree in politics gives her a crucial edge. With the central government reforms ahead, Varis-Woodcock asserts that as Mayor she will stand up for both community and democracy. A council should deliver the best three waters, roading, parks and library services possible within its means. Councils must achieve excellence as service providers: “Local government is where democracy and accountability begin.”
Seven Point Mayoral Manifesto
1. Listen to the people
2. Accountability and openness
3. Service excellence
4. Culture of thrift
5. Reduce Reuse Recycle
6. Respect the ratepayer
7. Community resilience
After six years of proven leadership serving my community as a councillor, I now want to put my local government experience to use in a leadership role to benefit the Kaipara district. I am ready to lead a council that truly listens to the people and strives to deliver value for money services within a culture of thrift, efficiency and excellence.
By representing the needs and aspirations of our community, I will encourage citizens to play an active role, creating shared responsibility and a connected vision for our amazing Kaipara District. I will lead with values of respect for people and resources. With a focus on waste minimisation and fostering community resilience through community gardens and food networks, the council I lead will be a real part of a thriving Kaipara community.
Because I believe in local democracy, and in developing a strong local supply chain, I am very much opposed to the Three Waters reform. Our district can best represent its own interests, and with the right support from central government it can meet all targets that support the health of our water, the environment and our people.
Craig Jepson
“I was born in the Waikato and farm raised. Attended Teachers College but returned to farming then fishing in the Bay Of Islands. Started concrete construction business and land development in Kerikeri. Played rugby representing Northland. I undertook public relations for Olivine NZ to modernise and construct a Waste to Energy project at the Meremere Power Plant. I note that 20 years on we are still contemplating dumping in our beautiful environment at Dome Valley. I moved to the Kaipara District in 2001 and undertook development of rural and urban sections in conjunction with operating a concrete construction business. I chaired a charitable trust, which built 3.5 kms of cycle track in Mangawhai. Always I’ve supported initiatives giving back to the community that has been so good to me. Now that I have scaled back my business activities, I want to devote my time to our great Kaipara District community.”
I am standing on three principal foundations of economy, democracy and community.
New Zealand is entering tough social and economic times. In the year to June, 11,500 more people left NZ than arrived. We are in a battle to keep our businesses, our talents and our young. These issues are felt particularly in Kaipara District with a low population and only 18,000 ratepayers. Without a strong economy we have not the increased funding for roads, health facilities, and expenditure on the environment. Kaipara District Council requires prudent economic management. We must focus on core services of maintaining, renewing, and improving our infrastructure whilst maintaining affordable rates.
As Mayor, I will drive review of staffing levels and expenditures, promote an agenda seeking efficiency of process and seek the removal of unworkable rules and unnecessary compliance costs to our farmers, growers, businesses and the wider community. With stunning coastal, mountain and lake environments, Kaipara is a fabulous place to live and play. Promoting these to attract investment is a priority.
I support celebrating the cultural and diversity of all groups in our community but oppose co-governance and the mandating of Three Waters. If our district is to be successful, we must stand up for the things we believe in and unite around the things we have in common and not allow ourselves to be divided by our differences. We must support each other throughout the Kaipara in our endeavours to improve outcomes for the young, families and the elderly.
Our communities are looking for practical leadership that will speak on behalf of our local community, rather than parrot the view of Wellington. A return of public respect to our local council is needed. Too many of our councillors have failed to grasp the simple concept that they were elected to represent the community – not dictate to them. The 2022 local body elections are an opportunity to change that.
Coverage of candidates for Council wards, local boards and the Maori ward in Kaipara will be featured in our next issue out on September 12.
