Kia ora HelloMy name is Wendy Joy Baker and I am proudly standing for Mayor of SDC.I truly care and my main priority is to reduce rates. Council rates are obviously too high and some people are struggling to pay them. This is evident in the information obtained from SDC website: https://www.southlanddc.govt.nz/council/elections/candidate-information-requests-to-council/The amount of rates arrears to 30th June 2025 was $2,680,787.I am very concerned about high costs and high spending within SDC. This is also evident from information obtained from same website. For instance consultants' costs from March 2024 to February 2025 was $2,915,425.75 ( GST exclusive).Other high costs include playground upgrades including one costing $544,618.11. They was also a high cost for a public toilet block of $682,443.Additionally there was the high purchase cost of the Mayoral vehicle $58,062.94 ( GST exclusive). Then there was the newspaper and radio advertising cost totalling $321,992.91 ( Jan 2023-June 2025).The SDC CEO ( Cameron McIntosh) got $382,062,00 salary in 2023/24. Refer weblink: https://www.taxpayers.org.nz/southland_broke_but_top_dollar_to_ceosOther staff, like Compliance and monitoring team got a combined salary total of $749,891.11 in 2024/25 year.The total cost of roading maintenance contracts is $31,851.032 (2024/25).The rent ( 2024/25) for the two SDC offices in Don st Invercargill cost $107,818.84 and $203,796.63. Then there was additionally the rates cost for the two SDC owned offices in Invercargill!The debt owed by SDC totals at $91,575.000. The interest on this debt is paid for by ratepayers!Therefore costs overall need to be cut and debt reduced to benefit ratepayers and reduce their rates. That's fair and caring.As an example I have paid over $30,000 in rates to SDC since 2013! As far as I am concerned some ratepayers don't get value for money from rates.Across NZ there is a growing concern about high rates. I have been proactive and have created this recent Petition (reduce rates):https://petitions.parliament.nz/bdf1e1a7-fce3-4d63-926e-08ddd598c17bThere are many things which need improving by SDC including: Better customer service, better/more efficient Core services, safer/better dog control, better maintenance of War Memorials, more formal appreciation/ acknowledgement of volunteers, better/ transparent reports, user pay systems for water and rubbish bins, better reserves Maintenance etc.My background ( in brief) CV available: Champion athlete ( 35 medals), Valuable Volunteer, Diverse range of qualifications, previous Council employment ( over 7 years). 25 years a Ratepayer in NZ .Authorised by Wendy Joy Baker, [email protected] HERE for a full list of candidates in the Southland District Local Body Elections 2025

Hello readers,I’m Gary Tong, proudly calling Southland home since 1981.Here I have raised my family, built lifelong friendships, and dedicated myself to public and volunteer service. Southland is in my heart, and it has been a privilege of my life to serve as your Southland District Council Mayor for nine years. I again seek your support in the 2025 election to continue that work.My partner Sharon and I share 4 children and 7 grandchildren.Leadership starts at home. I believe the values we teach and live by at home — honesty, respect, hard work, and compassion — are the same values to be carried into community life and the council chambers.I know first-hand the challenges Southland families face - being safe, rising costs, personal pressures and the desire to give our children the same opportunities we had, if not more.Southland has always been defined by the people and industry — resilient, practical, and connected. Over the years, I’ve worked with community leaders, volunteer groups, and community boards, and I’ve seen how much we achieve when we pull together. It’s no secret that a number of community groups are becoming diminished and there needs to be support and impetus to get the next generation involved in their future.Southlanders must feel SAFE and supported, in our towns, at work, at school and at home, whether young and starting out or older and enjoying their retirement years. We cannot allow the pressures of anti-social behaviour take over or influence our next generation.A healthy and progressive community means ensuring that essential services are maintained, that decisions are transparent and fair, that council works for you — not the other way around – you voted for them.In this next three years, I will work to reinforce communication between council and your community. Together we will advocate for you where the investment in facilities, infrastructure, and local initiatives bring people together - a strong community is the foundation of a strong Southland.Southland’s economy is built on hard work — e.g. farming, fishing, tourism, manufacturing, and small business. Together they not only sustain livelihoods but shape our identity. Family and community thrive when industry is strong.The many challenges we face are real… your Mayor must provide steady leadership through change, ensuring Murihiku Southland remains future-focused while protecting jobs and opportunities for our people.I will advocate for policies that support communities and business while encouraging innovation and most importantly removing unnecessary roadblocks.Southland’s communities have, and always will be, the backbone of our prosperity and your council will work tirelessly alongside you to keep them strong.I believe Southland deserves leadership that listens, leads, and lightens the load. My promise is to be approachable, practical, and grounded. I’ll keep working for families, strengthening communities, and supporting industry — because that’s what keeps Southland strong.I believe Southland must always be a place where families thrive, not just survive. Together, we can ensure our region remains affordable, connected, and full of opportunity.Tick Tong — 2025.Authorised by Gary Tong, [email protected] HERE for a full list of candidates in the Southland District Local Body Elections 2025

With my business acumen, 15 years council experience and awareness of our communities needs I have made a positive impact in my first term as your Mayor. With an emphasis on keeping it local, keeping costs down and ensuring that council is efficient and reflective of the communities it serves, we are heading in the right direction towards having a council that you are proud of.Leading 69 elected members and strengthening the Community Boards has resulted in a stronger community voice and better decisions. I have taken council out into our communities and we have enjoyed some of our best council meetings in our small town halls. With solid relationships in Wellington, I have been able to secure millions of dollars in funding, and have been an effective voice for Southland.I am making good headway on our roading funding inequity where I can share our story based on sound logic, knowledge and confidence around the fact that we are clearly getting a raw deal in a broken system that means you are all paying twice for your roads.I have led Southland’s response to the Waters Reforms with the same approach. Utilising my experience, business sense and understanding of how our communities work, we have submitted a plan that had unanimous support around the council table.By insisting that we do the right thing by our ratepayers, which sometimes is a harder road, and recognising that we are accountable to them and not to the beehive, led to an overwhelming 97% support from the submitters to our preferred approach. My strong advocacy in Wellington has ensured that Southland’s unique situation is covered in the new legislation and this has been recognised on the national stage. More debt is not the answer!My proposal to reorganise Local Government in Southland has successfully made it through to the Local Government Commission for investigation, this is the furthest this conversation has gone in 30 years. I am not afraid to transform ideas into action, and have the drive and the passion to make sure that I walk the talk. I look forward to our communities having the final say on how Local Government can best represent them in Southland.For the Stewart Island Energy Project, I banned the words report and consultant, and this action orientated approach enabled us to secure 15.3 million dollars in funding. I am acutely aware of the affordability challenges out in our communities and I want to ensure that your rates are utilised wisely, and that all appropriate alternative means of funding have been explored and exhausted.With an environment that is full of change, Southland needs a leader that knows what they are doing and can front foot us through it all. With the full support of my wife Jane and my children Levi and Mia, who are all happy to lend me to Southland for another 3 years, many people have said that Rob’Scott their vote again. Hopefully Rob’Scott yours as well.Authorised by Rob Scott, [email protected] HERE for a full list of candidates in the Southland District Local Body Elections 2025