The race is on for the region’s top jobs

Wednesday, 15 January 2025

Ōtorohanga mayor Max Baxter will step away from local government at the end of his fourth term as mayor in October.

Ōtorohanga mayor Max Baxter will hand over his district’s mayoral chains this year and watch October’s electoral race with interest.

Baxter’s decision not to seek a fifth term follows Hamilton City mayor Paula Southgate’s announcement she’s leaving local politics after 25 years.

Who will take on the mayoral race in Hamilton and Ōtorohanga is anyone’s guess for now. But Baxter’s the only regional mayor who told the Waikato Times they wouldn’t stand again - though another one’s still making up his mind.

Local elections are coming up again in October - and in a couple of Waikato areas mayoral hopefuls won’t need to run against an incumbent (file photo).

Baxter said he was keen to get back to his farm and explore other work opportunities.

“If you are going to be in this role you have to be fully committed to it, and hand on heart I’m not sure if I can commit to another three years.”

“I’m a farmer … and I have a lot more opportunities in my working life to experience and try other things.

The South Waikato’s first Māori mayor Gary Petley said he’d have a go at a second term in office.

“When I pull out I will still be three years younger than the average elected member.”

Baxter said he was proud of his work with iwi, and on keeping rates affordable while maintaining a “vibrant, energised community”.

In the South Waikato, the district’s first Māori mayor Gary Petley said he’d try for a second term to continue some “really good stuff”.

Taupo mayor David Trewavas would love to see international white ball cricket return to Taupō’s Owen Delany Park.

“With the staff we have got I think we can only improve.”

He said the possible closure of the Kinleith paper mill was a major issue, but South Waikato was “in a better position than most councils” and continually looking at how to do things better with “less of an impact on ratepayers”.

“We have a lot of positives, including our new industrial park with some new businesses coming to town, but that’s going to take two to three years to become a reality.”

Matamata Piako district mayor Adrienne Wilcock says she’ll run for a second term, if it’s the will of the community.

Taupō mayor David Trewavas said he’d have a shot at a fifth mayoral term.

“With our new airport, the Supercars, Ironman and our geothermal economy working well, Taupo’s a pretty exiting place to be.”

Waipā mayor Susan O'Regan will run for mayor in October this year.

“There’s a few things I want to work on, such as a positive local economy, and little things like maintaining Taupō as a nice place to live.”

Trewavas wanted to work on getting international white ball cricket back to Owen Delany Park after the council spent more than a million dollars on broadcast standard lights.

Hauraki district mayor Toby Adams will enter his district’s mayoral popularity contest for a shot at a third term in October.

Matamata-Piako mayor Adrienne Wilcock said community members had already asked if she would go for a second term.

“I’ve… been encouraged to stand again with their support.”

It could help with stability while “there’s a lot going on in the water space, and we are still facing challenges”, she said - “but there’s always opportunities”.

Thames-Coromandel Mayor Len Salt isn’t making up his mind until closer to election time.

She said her experience around the council table was “helpful”, but “you are at the will of the community as to whether you get to lead again”

Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan said she would “absolutely” run again.

Continuity would help, with a new chief executive and lots going on “such as a very important long-term plan”. She was up for it if the community wanted her.

Hauraki mayor Toby Adams said he still had “the passion and skills” to run for a third term.

Waitomo mayor John Robertson said water reforms were high on his council’s agenda and he’d be back in the running for a third term as mayor.

He said, six months after hiring a new chief executive, “good, stable leadership is key”.

The Waikato district’s mayor Jacqui Church said she’d have a go at a second term.

She wants to find “more opportunities for growth” and make the district “more fit for purpose” and continue to change how the council does business.

In Thames-Coromandel, Mayor Len Salt says he’s “not ready to make any decisions”.

“I [will] leave it until a bit closer to the election. The job of mayor is a pretty full ticket and I’m 100% focussed on doing the work.”

Ruapehu mayor Weston Kirton said it was early days, “but… I can’t think of any reason why I shouldn’t have another go”.

“There are a few things, such as the Chateau Tongariro, we need to get behind.” and I’ve seen and spoken to a credible New Zealand businessman who is working quietly with iwi on a plan to restore the hotel.”

“There’s still some negotiations going on with our pulp and paper mill, so for those things that were challenges in 2024, there is some light at the end of the tunnel and I’d would like to follow these things through.”

Waitomo mayor John Robertson will stand for a third term after reflecting over summer.

He was pleased with Waitomo’s finances but said the water reforms would be difficult “and will open up the question about local boundaries, and dare i say it, amalgamation.”

Robertson said experience would be key for the next council, “and I really do enjoy the community side of it”.