Opinion
There was a good crowd at the final election meeting of the campaign in Whangamatā on Saturday morning. The audience was mostly older, but engaged and respectful throughout. The Whangamatā Ratepayers Association ran a well-organised event, with moderator Phil Keogh keeping things moving, and local sound man John McClenaghan ensuring everything worked smoothly — not an easy task with more than 20 speakers on the day.
Some locals grumbled about Whangamatā being “the last cab off the rank,” but as one resident put it: “What’s new? We’re in the forgotten corner.” The meeting ran close to three hours, which could be gruelling, but strict time limits kept candidates concise and the pace steady. Two candidates were absent for various reasons — Mark Drury (Council and Community Board) and Michael Barlow (Māori Ward).
Overall, the standard of presentations was excellent, though several stood out. For the Community Board, where four are chosen from six, former Deputy Mayor Terry Walker was a standout. Incumbent Neil Evans showed the value of experience, while Graeme Smith from the Info Centre impressed with his passion and knowledge of the town, and Heather Watt from the Arts Collective also made a strong case.
Among the councillor hopefuls, Alison Smith from Tairua was notable as one of only two to speak without notes, displaying a long-term connection to the ward. The mayoral candidates each made an impression in their own way, a talented group with diverse personalities and interests.
Incumbent Len Salt and Peter Revell leaned more to the conservative side, while local Whangamatā man Patrick Kerr presented from a further-right stance. Denise Messiter surprised many with her fiscal knowledge and engaging style, while Steven Hart and James Subritsky provided welcome lighter moments.
With Whangamatā currently showing the lowest voter return in the district, it’s hoped Saturday’s meeting will encourage more residents to have their say before the polls close.
