By Moana Ellis, Local Democracy Reporting
Kuru Ketu (Ngāti Hāua, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Maniapoto) is one of six candidates standing for three seats on Ruapehu District Council’s Māori ward.
The 32-year-old environmental consultant lives in Matapuna, Taumarunui. Seeking election to council for the first time, he says he is motivated by two things: giving back and ensuring younger voices are heard at the decision-making table.
“It’s important to contribute back to the collective, and younger representation is key to making forward-looking decisions and ensuring succession.”
Ketu’s professional background is in environmental law. But along with seven years’ experience as an environmental litigator and lawyer and three years as an independent hearings commissioner, he also has more than eight years in governance roles, including on trusts, government panels and boards.
He believes this combination of technical skill, governance knowledge and grassroots experience positions him strongly to serve Ruapehu communities.
“First and foremost, I’m Māori, I’m grassroots and I love this rohe. I have extensive experience working with Māori across a range of sectors, including within local government. Communication and relationships are key – that’s the style and approach I bring.”
If elected, Ketu says his top three priorities will be improving communication between council and communities, reducing council debt, and unlocking the potential of statutory tools available to local government.
“We have a deficit in communication and the way decisions, issues and solutions are communicated. The district can expect written and verbal statements of any position I communicate during the decision-making process.”
On council finances, Ketu is focused on better governance and more effective use of rates and resources.
“We have high levels of debt and high levels of services. Effective spending flows from effective governance, and I plan to highlight ways to make better use of the resources council has, including the way rates are spent.”
He also believes more can be achieved by using local government statutory tools strategically.
“Local government has statutory tools at its disposal to make a real difference. My priority is to highlight those tools while also ensuring consistency across previous decisions to maintain workability.”
Ketu said collective responsibility – “the weaving of people and their unique abilities together” – is the value that guides his leadership. He approaches decision-making in a values-based, evidence-led and locally grounded way.
Ketu said accountability to Māori constituents requires visibility and consistency.
“You have to show up – both in person and through media. That is how I plan on connecting with Māori in my district.”
He also plans through his existing relationships to engage, consult and be guided by iwi, hapū and marae.
“Being accountable requires that our people know what you stand for and how you plan to do something. I’ve put that in writing, which sets a benchmark for me to maintain and for my community to hold me to.”
Ketu said Te Awa Tupua and the Whanganui River must remain at the heart of council’s work.
“It’s central. Te Awa Tupua is not just about the awa – it applies to everything. It’s the relational framework we need to use in council decision-making, the key context for council decisions.”
Awa FM – Te Reo Irirangi o Whanganui
For more of our people, our stories, our way, click News or follow us on Facebook.
