WHY
VOTE FOR ME?
The Hastings District has faced challenges both of natural disasters and of government legislative change over the past three years. Cyclone Gabrielle required a billion dollar infrastructure restoration of which Hastings District Council is responsible for $230 million. The impact of inflation, providing for asset maintenance, and the biggest impact on local government since 1989 – Local Water Done Well.
As a Fellow Chartered Accountant, and my finance skills, I have been entrusted to chair the Mayoral Finance Working Group, Local Water Done Well and Annual Plan workshops. I also chair the standing committee Performance and Monitoring. I believe the Hastings District Council’s financial performance and improvement in financial reporting has improved because of my involvement.
There is still work to be done, especially to reduce the impact of projected further rate increases – and I believe I am best suited to lead this to continue to lock in savings for ratepayers.
Challenges faced by Hastings District Council
Someone said to me “You picked a fine time to join the Hastings District Council (HDC).” True! It has indeed been challenging.
Local Water Done Well
The central government mandates that territorial authority councils must ensure their water assets (drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater) have approved water service delivery plans and are financially well-resourced. The status-quo is not an option and will likely be a different operating structure separate from HDC. If a regional council-controlled organisation (CCO) of up to four councils in Hawke’s Bay is selected in July 2025, it will remove about one-third of HDC’s activity.
Business as Usual
In addition to these challenges, HDC provides a significant number of services for you – the ratepayers. These services include senior housing, libraries, parks and reserves, roading, regulatory functions, emergency hub facilitation, Splash Planet, Hastings Art Gallery, Toitoi, and events such as the Blossom Festival.
Inflation
Many households, particularly those with fixed incomes, are experiencing rising costs in areas such as insurance, energy, and groceries. Councils are also encountering higher costs, including insurance premiums. They are also dealing with financial challenges due to rising expenses for infrastructure such as pipes, bridges, and roadways.
Cyclone Response
Cyclone Gabrielle, which impacted the region in February 2023, will necessitate an infrastructure reconstruction effort estimated to cost up to $2 billion over the next 7 to 10 years. The government at that time did not fully fund the rebuild. Consequently, our ratepayers have incurred an approximate cost of $230 million, which includes HDC’s half share of the $100 million voluntary buyout of category three properties.
Why Elect Me as your councillor?
The Hastings District Council has initiated a substantial infrastructure expenditure programme, amounting to $488 million for the 2025/26 year. The management of this programme will require continued meticulous reporting and adherence to value-for-money processes.
The implementation of Local Water Done Well will likely necessitate an operational and financial separation from HDC. I have actively participated in this process and believe my expertise is crucial for ensuring continuity.
Many of us are struggling on fixed incomes, and significant rate rises are hurting. My commitment is to continually seek ways HDC can be operationally and financially efficient.
Many council-owned assets, like senior housing, require significant upkeep. I advocate for reviewing these activities to ensure ratepayer funds are used effectively and exploring other ways to achieve these outcomes.
Hastings Heretaunga has many developers who care deeply about how our city develops and looks. Partnerships between HDC and private developers, like the one at 206 Queen Street West, are, I believe, a way of making your rates money go much further.
I would, of course, use my knowledge of history of Hastings Heretaunga in decision making, and continue to advocate to protect our heritage buildings.
My Council Responsibilities Have Included
Chairperson of the following:
-
Standing Committee Performance and Monitoring (since 2023)
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Mayor’s Finance Advisory
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Annual/ Long-Term Plan working group
-
Local Water Done Well
My Council Achievements
As one of 16 members at the council table, I have contributed in the
following ways:
-
Advocating for and assisting in the development of more accessible quantitative (financial) and qualitative (non-financial) reports to support council decision-making
-
Playing a pivotal role in the financial strategy of the council by setting debt-to-revenue ratios and achieving operational savings of $2.7 million over fiscal years 2024/2025 and 2025/2026. These targets, among others, were successfully met.
-
Requiring that any additional council spending must be approved by council through a formal resolution.
-
Monitoring of asset management plans.
-
Communicating to the council the implications and insight regarding Local Water Done Well, including understanding the various pathways and consequences.
-
Starting to identify methods of financing growth-related council infrastructure.
My Council Achievements
As one of 16 members at the council table, I have contributed in the
following ways:
-
Advocating for and assisting in the development of more accessible quantitative (financial) and qualitative (non-financial) reports to support council decision-making
-
Playing a pivotal role in the financial strategy of the council by setting debt-to-revenue ratios and achieving operational savings of $2.7 million over fiscal years 2024/2025 and 2025/2026. These targets, among others, were successfully met.
-
Requiring that any additional council spending must be approved by council through a formal resolution.
-
Monitoring of asset management plans.
-
Communicating to the council the implications and insight regarding Local Water Done Well, including understanding the various pathways and consequences.
-
Starting to identify methods of financing growth-related council infrastructure.
My Council Achievements
As one of 16 members at the council table, I have contributed in the
following ways:
-
Advocating for and assisting in the development of more accessible quantitative (financial) and qualitative (non-financial) reports to support council decision-making
-
Playing a pivotal role in the financial strategy of the council by setting debt-to-revenue ratios and achieving operational savings of $2.7 million over fiscal years 2024/2025 and 2025/2026. These targets, among others, were successfully met.
-
Requiring that any additional council spending must be approved by council through a formal resolution.
-
Monitoring of asset management plans.
-
Communicating to the council the implications and insight regarding Local Water Done Well, including understanding the various pathways and consequences.
-
Starting to identify methods of financing growth-related council infrastructure.
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I am proud of our historical heritage, and in February 2024 I took the first
Art Deco tour of a cruise ship proudly through the streets of Hastings.
I am often called upon to MC events, which I do at no cost, and had a lot of
fun launching Dick Frizell’s memoir “Hastings: A Boy’s Own Adventure” in March 2025.
Michael speaking at one of his fundraising talk events. In 2023 he raised around $10,000 for flood relief victims and the Hawke's Bay Surf Lifesaving Search and Rescue Squad.
A word of warning!
There are candidates mentioning keeping rates at the household inflation CPI and making references to “cleaning house.” This is an easy populous platform to stand on, one many like to hear, and one which has been well-used before. It is important to understand from these candidates the exact costs and service levels that will change, as these affect the ratepayer. This information will enable an evaluation of their approach.
Cyclone Gabrielle, which impacted the region in February 2023, will necessitate an infrastructure reconstruction effort estimated to cost up to $2 billion over the next 7 to 10 years. The government at that time did not fully fund the rebuild. Consequently, our ratepayers have incurred an approximate cost of $230 million, which includes HDC’s half share of the $100 million voluntary buyout of category three properties.
Cyclone Gabrielle, which impacted the region in February 2023, will necessitate an infrastructure reconstruction effort estimated to cost up to $2 billion over the next 7 to 10 years. The government at that time did not fully fund the rebuild. Consequently, our ratepayers have incurred an approximate cost of $230 million, which includes HDC’s half share of the $100 million voluntary buyout of category three properties.