By Moana Ellis, Local Democracy Reporting
Simon Hepi has spent his life working in his community. Now he wants to take that experience to the council table.
One of six candidates vying for three seats in Ruapehu District Council’s Māori ward, Hepi says the time is right for him to step forward.
Born and raised in Taumarunui, Hepi (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Maniapoto, Whanganui River) is one of 17 children.
His Catholic faith and grounding in karakia shaped his early life, but so too did hardship. His father died young, leaving his mother to raise 12 children alone – for six years without benefit support.
“That hardship shaped my resilience and passion for community service,” Hepi says.
That drive carried into a career spanning more than four decades in social services. Hepi joined Māori Affairs in Whanganui in the 1970s before moving into Social Welfare. He went on to lead Work and Income branches in Taumarunui and Te Kūiti, managing budgets, staff and government performance targets for over 30 years.
Now retired, Hepi has served on his hapū Māori Trust and is now on its reservation trust. With governance and financial management experience behind him, he believes he can bring practical solutions to council.
“We need councillors who have a tighter grip on understanding finance, and more accountability on the spend.”
Hepi says ratepayers are already facing steep costs from the council’s recent Local Water Done Well decision to partner with just one council (Whanganui District) rather than a multi-council grouping with three or four neighbouring councils.
“I watched the council’s Three Waters decisions, how they operated and the discussions they had. Councillors need to be clearer when decisions are made.
“Is it the best decision for the ratepayers that you’re representing? I had a bit of a problem with that.”
For Hepi, effective leadership is about being concise, strategic and connected.
“You have to communicate clearly with the people who put you in office and make sure they understand what’s being done and why,” he says.
“We’re in the toughest time ever. The people elected for the council going forward are going to need a bit of nous about what we’re going to be dealing with. We are going to have to be innovative about our investment approach.”
On the role of Māori wards, Hepi is clear: they are about honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi, strengthening Māori voices in decision-making and ensuring equitable outcomes.
“We have to stand strong locally. This is a time when Government is challenging things Māori, and you have to put your best foot forward and stand up for what you believe in.”
He says Māori wards should ensure iwi are part of procurement and environmental management decisions, especially where they connect to Te Awa Tupua and waterways.
He also wants to encourage young Māori to vote.
“We’ve got to educate our tamariki. They need to know how governance works and why they need to participate: why their vote matters, and how representing who you are as Māori connects to justice for Māori.”
Awa FM – Te Reo Irirangi o Whanganui
For more of our people, our stories, our way, click News or follow us on Facebook.
