At its last full council meeting ahead of the close of voting for this year’s local government elections, Hastings District Council today farewelled Mayor, Sandra Hazlehurst; Deputy Mayor, Tania Kerr; Hastings-Havelock North ward Councillor, Malcolm Dixon and Takitimu
Māori ward Councillor, Ana Apatu, all of whom are not seeking re-election for the next term.
First elected as mayor in 2017, following six years as a councillor Mrs Hazlehurst said she had been immensely privileged to serve the community and work alongside a team of passionate, hardworking and dedicated councillors and staff.
“Together, we have faced challenges, embraced new opportunities and turned shared visions into reality,” she said.
“I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together. We have worked in partnership with mana whenua, central government, and the private sector to deliver what matters for our community.
“From investing in safe and sustainable water infrastructure following the Havelock North Water Crisis, including the creation of Waiaroha, the award winning world’s first, Water Discovery Centre, to opening the doors of our world class Toitoi arts and events centre, providing housing for our people, revitalising the city centre, and enhancing Fabulous Flaxmere.
“While my time as Hastings’ mayor comes to an end, I will continue to serve our community in other ways. I am, and will always be, a loud and proud Heretaunga Hastings champion and I wish the new council all the very best.”
Councillor Kerr began at council as a Rural Community Board member in 2001, was elected as Mohaka Ward councillor in 2008, and became Deputy Mayor in 2017.
She said she had cherished her time on council representing the rural and wider community, and serving as Deputy Mayor.
“Representing a vast rural community with people from all walks of life can be both educational and inspirational, and it’s been an honour and a privilege to be in this chamber working together with councillors and staff to achieve great things for our community.”
Councillor Dixon was first elected in 2013 as a Hastings-Havelock North ward Councillor. He thanked all the ratepayers who had supported him and contacted him during his 12 years at the table.
“It’s been an honour and a privilege – councillors always learn something new every time they have a meeting or read through papers.”
He cited the Toitoi redevelopment, serving on the Te Mata Park Trust Board, and the development of the new Hawke’s Bay Museum research and archives centre as highlights of his tenure.
Councillor Apatu was one of the three inaugural representatives of the Takitimu Māori Ward, elected in 2022.
She said that despite some challenges, she had loved her three-year term, and that council had many things to be proud of.
“Our place-based housing, our fabulous Pāharakeke Flaxmere, Waiaroha – many achievements set in policy and built on the aspirations of mana whenua.”
Voting for the next triennium closes on October 11. People can still vote up until 12pm on Saturday by dropping their papers into the orange voting bins around the city.
The only venue to cast a special vote from now is the Hastings District Council building on Lyndon Rd, up until 12pm on October 11.
Go to the council website www.hastingsdc.govt.nz/our-council/elections/voters/ for voting bin locations.
