The region’s mayors, from left, Alex Walker (CHB), Kirsten Wise (Napier), Craig Little (Wairoa), Sandra Hazlehurst (Hastings), and Hinewai Ormsby, chair of the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council—are preparing for a busy election year. Photo: LDR
Twenty-two of Hawke's Bay's 56 councillors have confirmed they will restand in this year's elections, while two are publicly calling time.
Napier City councillor Maxine Boag said after enjoying the privilege of 18 years as a Napier City councillor, she is not running again.
"I want to spend more time in the community, where I feel I can best serve the people," Boag said.
Central Hawke's Bay (CHB) councillor Tim Aitken was also standing down. "After nine years, it's time for someone else to step up," he told Local Democracy Reporting.
Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise and CHB Mayor Alex Walker have both confirmed they will be standing for mayor.
Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said she was undecided at this stage and Wairoa Mayor Craig Little was "seriously considering standing for the Wairoa mayoralty".
The only other potential contender for a mayoralty to publicly state an interest so far was Hastings councillor Damon Harvey, who said he was keen to re-stand as a councillor "while also strongly considering the mayoralty".
"It's a big year, with more rate rises and trying to get council debt under control," he said.
Little said the next few years were pivotal for Wairoa.
"Two flood events within 18 months of each other have placed tremendous pressure on our district, and it is imperative that our future work and planning supports the recovery, resilience and growth of Wairoa.
"Now is a time for experience and strong leadership, particularly as we work through the enormity of the flood mitigation project."
Hazlehurst said Heretaunga Hastings had a big year ahead with the cyclone recovery and rebuild.
"We are focused on infrastructure delivery, specifically the reconnection of our rural communities and building water infrastructure to enable new affordable homes for Flaxmere.
"Council's focus for the first quarter will be community consultation around delivery models for Local Water Done Well," she said.
"We will continue to work with our development community to revitalise our CBD and at the same time complete the Regional Archive and Storage Centre.
"We will be working with our regional partners and Government on our Regional Deal which will include water certainty and regional housing.
"There is a lot to do.
"I will make my decision about whether I restand for the Hastings mayoralty in the middle of the year," Hazlehurst said.
Napier Councillor Maxine Boag announced that after 18 years, she will not seek re-election in the 2025 local body elections. Photo: Supplied / LDR
Wise would be standing for her third term as Napier mayor while Walker was up for her fourth term in CHB.
Wise said Napier had come too far to go backwards now.
"I want to deliver on ratepayers' investment in core services; water, roading and quality long-term infrastructure; and make sure the city's essential projects are completed in a financially sustainable way," she said.
"This is a time for stability, we cannot afford to lose momentum.
"I have a deep understanding of the upcoming reforms from central government and strong relationships in our community.
"I have been able to tackle the challenges facing our city head-on because of the relationships that have been built, and those relationships have sustained our shared focus on the future through difficult times.
"I am re-standing to deliver on the progress we have made together."
Chairperson of Hawke's Bay Regional Council Hinewai Ormsby said at this stage she intends to restand for council and, if elected, for chairperson.
Central Hawke's Bay councillor Gerard Minehan said he found himself at a crossroads.
"While I am passionate about continuing to serve our community, my wife's health, treatment and well-being of my family are my top priority at this time," he said.
"This is not an easy decision, and I am taking the time to carefully weigh up my responsibilities to both my family and our local community. A final decision will be made closer to this year's October local council elections."
HBRC councillor Neil Kirton said he would be standing for re-election, but was yet to decide which council he would stand for this time.
There was no response to Local Democracy emails from 15 councillors.
Council incumbents - who's in, who's out?
Hastings District Council
- Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst: Undecided
- Deputy Mayor Tania Kerr: Undecided
- Councillors
- Marcus Buddo: Yes
- Alwyn Corban: Yes
- Michael Fowler: Yes
- Damon Harvey: Yes (considering mayoralty)
- Hana Montaperto-Hendry: Yes
- Kevin Watkins: Yes (at this stage)
- Heather Te Au-Skipworth: Yes
- Simon Nixon: Undecided
- Malcolm Dixon: Undecided
- Wendy Schollum: Too early to say
- Ana Apatu, Henry Heke, Kellie Jessup and Eileen Lawson: No response
Napier City Council:
- Mayor Kirsten Wise: Yes
- Deputy Mayor Annette Brosnan: Undecided
- Councillors
- Hayley Browne: Yes
- Keith Price: Yes
- Juliet Greig: Yes
- Greg Mawson: Yes
- Richard McGrath: Yes
- Nigel Simpson: Yes
- Graeme Taylor: Yes
- Ronda Chrystal: Yes (at this stage)
- Sally Crown: Yes (at this stage)
- Chad Tareha: Undecided
- Maxine Boag: No
Central Hawke's Bay District Council
- Mayor Alex Walker: Yes
- Deputy mayor Kelly Annand: Yes
- Councillors
- Kate Taylor: Yes
- Jerry Greer: Undecided
- Gerard Minehan: Undecided
- Pip Burne: Undecided
- Tim Aitken: No
- Brent Muggeridge and Exham Wichman: No response
Wairoa District Council
- Mayor: Craig Little: Strongly considering
- Deputy Mayor: Denise Eaglesome-Karekare: No response
- Councillors: Jeremy Harker, Roz Thomas, Benita Cairns, Melissa Kaimoana and Chaans Tumataroa-Clarke: No response
Hawke's Bay Regional Council
- Chair Hinewai Ormsby: Yes
- Councillors
- Jock Mackintosh: Yes
- Sophie Siers: Yes
- Jerf van Beek: Yes
- Neil Kirton: Yes
- Will Foley: Undecided
- Xan Harding: Undecided
- Di Roadley: Undecided
- Thompson Hokianga, Charles Lambert and Martin Williams: No response
2025 local election timeline
- July 1: Candidate nominations open and the roll opens for public inspection
- August 1 at 12 noon: Candidate nominations close and roll closes
- August 6: Public notice of candidates' names
- September 9-22: Voting documents delivered
- October 7: Last day for posting votes by mail. After this date, votes must be returned to councils' secure ballot boxes.
- October 11 at 12 noon: Election day - voting closes midday
- October 11 from 12 noon: Preliminary results
- October 16-22: Declaration of results
- October/November 2025: Elected members' swearing-in ceremonies
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
