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This Week’s Issue

Local Government

Make Me Your Mayor – 2 candidates this week

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Published on

August 19, 2025

Two candidates present their mayoral statements.

Patrick Kerr

I’m originally from the “Mainland”, Timaru, South Canterbury. The Coromandel has been my home for nearly ten years.

I have a proven business background. I chair Enterprise Whangamata. I have experienced how the Council and staff conduct business on our behalf.

It must change. It cannot continue like this! We cannot afford to continue as we are!

I stand for:- • Accountability • Back to basics • A fair deal for all rate payers • Targeted economic development

I have a vision for a vibrant Coromandel Peninsula. One of togetherness – acknowledging our differences. We can cherish and protect our distinctiveness and unique environment while fostering controlled, targeted growth.

To achieve economic sustainability, we must implement business- and community-friendly policies.

I believe Council should set policy to stimulate economic activity in our building, tourist conference, and hospo sectors – creating growth, especially in the shoulder seasons. We need to provide tourists with more compelling reasons to visit.

My focus is on quality over quantity.

My vision is to protect what we have. We must work with the strengths that we have. We have half of New Zealand’s population living within two and a half hours drive from our doorstep.

Transparency

Why is transparency and openness so hard? I am disappointed in all three Mercury Bay Ward Councillors.

Together with Cr Morrisey, they carried the day 4-3 and voted against the adoption of the Chief Ombudsman’s Recommendations. The use of “workshops”, “network meetings” and “closed doors” is unbecoming for local democracy.

Back-to-basics

We pay taxes to Central Government to receive social services.

We pay rates, a land tax, to local government. For this, we expect to receive basic infrastructure services. Let’s not confuse the two!

Core Council Business is roading, infrastructure, three water or water done well, rubbish, parks, sports fields, footpaths and public toilets. That’s It!

Denise Messiter

Denise Messiter, new Mayoral candidate for 2025 election, will focus on community connection, fair infrastructure, housing, and targeted engagement with groups whose voices are often missed in public debates. She has promised to put Community connection at the heart of Mayoral campaign

Denise says Thames–Coromandel deserves leadership that listens to every part of the community, not just the loudest voices in the room.

At the recent Whitianga meet-the-candidates event, more than half the audience were older women. Many came with important questions about local issues, yet there was limited time for everyone to be heard. For Denise, it highlighted the need for more inclusive and welcoming formats that give space to all voices.

“I want to create spaces where people feel welcome to share their views and know they will be listened to. Smaller, more focused gatherings can give everyone the chance to speak. Older women, our rainbow and takatāpui whānau, tangata whaikaha, and others whose voices are sometimes missing from public debates will be at the centre of these conversations,” says Denise.

As well as being proactive in the Coromandel Watchdog movement, Denise has stood against mining on the peninsula for decades. Protecting the whenua and supporting local communities continues to influence her vision for the district today.

She is committed to:

• Fair infrastructure and storm recovery that prioritises rural and flood-affected communities, with transparent project updates and climate resilience built into every decision.

• Housing affordability and community-led development that supports local housing trusts, Māori-led builds, papakāinga, and multi-generational housing.

• Te Tiriti partnership and Māori representation through a genuine co-design approach with mana whenua on all major projects.

• Rates and funding reform to ensure fairness for permanent residents and Māori landowners, with greater transparency about where rates are spent.

• Youth, digital and transport access, plus public Wi-Fi expansion, and better transport links.

• Community voice and democratic accountability so council decisions are explained in plain language and councillors are regularly present in every town.

Email: nin4mayor@gmail.com

Facebook: @NinForMayor

More MayorAL candidates next week

We intended to also include Steve Hart, but his statement was not available in time for this week’s Informer.

Next week: Steve Hart, Peter Revell, Len Salt, James Subritzky.

See here for Meet the Candidate meetings.