Who should be Southland District's next mayor?

With locals due to vote in the local elections by noon, this Saturday, October 8, we've asked the six candidates for their opinions on the major issues facing the district. We've run the answers over the weeks leading up to the election.

This week, we asked the big one: Why should people vote for you? What are your election promises?

Here are the answers, in alphabetical order:

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Wendy Joy Baker

Age: 55

Occupation: Valuable Volunteer; Previous: Sports Coordinator; EBOP Regional Council Officer; Contracts Manager; Healthy Lifestyle Coordinator; Research Technician.

Why should people vote for you? What are your election promises?

I truly care about many matters relevant to Council.

My 8 years experience when working for a Regional Council proves my proactive ' working for the ratepayer' attitude. One innovative incentive led project I instigated saw people and businesses working together to improve the environment/health of communities. An Advocacy Award was awarded to Council for this positive project. This shows I listen, care, and act.

My promise, as Mayor, is to reduce rates. There are ways to do this, and I will do this. I've researched costs which could fairly be reduced, to help reduce rates. That's important.

There needs to be more transparency and community communication. Improved Customer service/better implementation of legislation/bylaws. That's fair. No favouritism. Overall acknowledgement of volunteers. Improved roading. All complaints to be appreciated. More Art and sport (which is integral to culture and wellbeing).

Myself: I have proudly presented @18 RSA services on ANZAC/Armistice Days which shows my honourable respectful lifestyle.

Qualifications/training: Art, Sport, Teaching, Environment, leadership, Customer Service.

Many sports awards/medals.

Decades of caring volunteer work.

Overall this gives confidence to the fact that I am strong, intelligent, and right for the Mayoral role. Vote for me please.

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Kirsty Pickett (previously Macnicol)

Age: 51

Occupation: Business owner, former journalist

Why should people vote for you? What are your election promises?

I offer a well-rounded background that encompasses farming, corporate management, small business ownership and community governance. A journalist for 30 years, I have served my apprenticeship on the side-lines of local government, but in the thick of community leadership.

We are facing change on an unprecedented scale. We talk frequently about disaster preparedness – getting ready for the next big earthquake. But our ground is moving now, and I want to lead a strong and united council that is really well set-up, facing the same direction as the communities we serve, so that no matter what comes at us, we will handle it well.

I want to promote a way of talking with each other that is polite and evidence-based, not just emotional, antagonistic or prejudiced. Good conversations lead to good decision-making. And I want to lead a repositioning of the Southland District Council as the true representative force for the people who live here, not a beast in and of itself that we feel we’re forever fighting. We’re on the same side. We’re better together.

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Rob Scott

Age: 42

Occupation: Small Business Owner & District Councillor

Why should people vote for you? What are your election promises?

I’m here to serve Southland with a leadership style that empowers our community voice. 

I’m genuinely passionate about all of our communities, big and small, with proven experience serving at the coal face. I am someone who will walk the talk and deliver. I have thoroughly enjoyed taking an active role in shaping Lumsden as community board chair for 9 years, and then being able to support other communities through my role as a Councillor.

I bring a sensible head with business acumen and a strong localised community focus, with a desire for Southland to be the best that it can be.

If you talk to anyone who has served on council, they will tell you that it takes a full term to get your head around it all. In the current turbulent environment, to avoid going backwards, Southland needs a mayor who can hit the ground running. A mayor who has the experience with a fresh approach to help redesign the machine to be better for everyone.   

Local government is a complicated beast - I know the system, I know what works well, I know what is broken and with a proven track record I know how to fix it.

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Gary Ian Tong

Age: 63

Occupation: Full time Mayor

Why should people vote for you? What are your election promises?

My promise to you all is that I will continue to listen and hear you while understanding the positives and not so positives of our wonderful region. The people and the place - Murihiku Southland. We live, work and play in a great region BUT we cannot get comfortable, Take care.

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• Candidates Don Byars and Geoffrey Young did not provide an answer by deadline this week.