By Moana Ellis, Local Democracy Reporting
Ruapehu mayor Weston Kirton says the community’s concern about rising rates and affordability was the decisive factor behind his re-election.
Kirton has secured a second consecutive term as Ruapehu District mayor, defeating challengers Lyn Neeson, Grant Lethborg and Fiona Kahukura Hadley-Chase in a contest he says was defined by “people’s ability to pay”.
“People are struggling with the long-term potential for rate increases, particularly around the water [plans].
“They want leadership that will work harder and smarter to alleviate some of that pain,” Kirton said following confirmation of preliminary results.
“We have a lot of work to do in that area.”
In July, Ruapehu councillors voted down a recommendation to join a multi-council water body with Palmerston North, Horowhenua and Rangitīkei councils that officers said would save $38.7 million in the first seven years.
Councillors instead chose to partner only with Whanganui District Council.
Kirton, who first entered local government in 1986, said his campaign focused on practical economics and accountability, with a self-imposed pledge not to vote for any rates rise above 5 percent.
“That’s ambitious, but when you take the three waters out, what’s left is where we have to focus. You just have to get smarter. People can’t tolerate [high] rates rises year in year out.”
He said Whanganui District Council’s 2.2% average rates increase – the lowest in the country – showed Ruapehu’s elected members it could be done.
Kirton credits his re-election to a positive, grassroots campaign and to the help of his son Andrew, a seasoned political organiser who ran Jacinda Ardern’s 2017 campaign.
“Andrew knows how to connect with people, and we did well on social media.”
Kirton said his leadership through the economic shocks of the past three years – including mill closures, ski field uncertainty and the shutdown of the Chateau Tongariro – had shown his strengths in a tough term.
“We showed we could keep our vision clear, reflect some of the pain people were feeling, and give them confidence that we’d do everything we can.”
Kirton is serving his second stint as mayor after holding the top job for two terms from 1995 to 2001. In between, he served two terms as a regional councillor and was re-elected mayor in 2022.
The new council table will include returning councillors Rabbit Nottage, Robyn Gram, Viv Hoeta and Brenda Ralph, newcomers to the general ward Luke Pepper and John Chapman, and new Māori ward councillor Kuru Ketu. Korty Wilson and Channey Iwikau were also re-elected to the Māori ward.
Kirton said he was quite excited that they will bring balance to the council.
“The experience we’ve lost we’ve gained in a fresh start.
“Kuru Ketu is a forward-thinking, intelligent young man with a huge future.
“I think this group could do great things.”
Māori ward narrowly retained
In a separate poll, voters narrowly chose to retain the Māori ward with only 90 votes in it – 2022 votes to keep it, 1932 to remove it.
Kirton said the close result showed there were mixed feelings in the community but the outcome reflected the district’s demographics and the council’s progress on Māori engagement.
“We’ve made good progress with our iwi partnerships and agreements, we’ve done well with recruiting Māori in our organisation, and about half our community is Māori – they need a voice around the table,” he said.
Kirton said his focus now will be on building team spirit among councillors and tackling the twin challenges of affordability and economic growth.
“We’ve got some exciting opportunities ahead: tourism, the future of the Chateau and the pulp mills. The new pet food factory has huge potential too.”
He said he planned to press the government to do more to support affordability in the rural district, which has a small ratings base spread over a large geographical area and incomes that fall below the national average.
“I’d like to take some leadership on that nationally. The ability to pay is a real issue in Ruapehu.”
On Monday, Kirton was taking a short breather – “mowing the lawns, looking after the farm, and we’ve got new lambs” – and reflect on his campaign.
“Behind any good mayor is a good partner. Annette and I will be married 50 years next year. I’m very conscious of her support, and the support of my sons and daughter, friends and supporters and that’s been the reflection over the last few days.”
Plans were underway to gather the new council later in the week “so elected members can get to know each other”.
Soon after that, the council would move into “business as usual”, including preparing for long-term plan discussions early next year.
Voter turnout was 50% (4172 of 8344 eligible voters) excluding special votes. The general ward return was 52.67% (3359) and the Māori ward return was 41.33% (813). The Ruapehu council was one of 19 councils around the country recording a provisional voter turnout of 50% or higher.
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