Thames-Coromandel District Councillor Peter Revell has officially launched his campaign for Mayor, pledging to rein in rate increases and refocus council spending on essential services.
His campaign website, www.coromandelmayor.co.nz which goes live today ,offers voters regular updates and detailed policy information.
“People deserve honest, accessible information,” said Revell. “I’ll be updating the site frequently as questions come in, so voters can make a well-informed decision about the future leadership of our district.”
Revell said he has spent the past year travelling throughout Thames-Coromandel engaging with communities, said a clear message has emerged from residents: rate rises are unsustainable.
“I’m drawing a line in the sand,” he said. “No more 7 percent-plus annual increases. If elected, I will deliver a significant reduction in rate hikes, with the goal of keeping the average rate increase under 3.8 percent by 2026, ahead of the next Long-Term Plan. It’s ambitious, but necessary.”
Key Commitments
To achieve this, Revell promises to:
- Cut council costs and overheads
- Prioritise spending on core services such as roads, rubbish, and water
- Review consultant expenses and council programmes
- Eliminate unnecessary project rework
- Adjust service frequencies where practical
“The reward,” he said, “will be a lighter burden on ratepayers without compromising the essentials.”
Revell also pledges to restore community confidence in local governance by promoting transparency and genuine engagement.
“We need a council that listens and acts with discipline,” he said. “I’ll work to rebuild trust with residents, iwi, businesses, and community groups.”
Campaign Events
Revell’s campaign launch will include:
- A radio campaign following the website release
- The rollout of public signage
- Attendance at a “Meet the Candidates” forum hosted by the Whitianga Residents and Ratepayers Association on Sunday 3 August, 2–4pm at Whitianga Town Hall
- A public campaign launch event titled “What I Stand For”, Monkey House, Whitianga, starting at 4.30pm for 5pm on Friday 8 August.
The campaign period, which runs until 10 October, will include at least seven public forums across the district, giving residents multiple opportunities to hear directly from Revell and other candidates.
