Seven-way fight for Wairakei

Press, 24 September 1983, Page 30

Seven-way fight for Wairakei

Wairakei is the most hotly contested of the six Waimairi District Council ridings.

Seven candidates, including three sitting councillors, seek three seats.

Wairakei is a new riding which comprises the former Wairarapa riding and parts of the abolished Harewood riding.

The Wairarapa representative, Cr H. M. Tait, has been joined on the ballot paper by Harewood’s Crs I. Calvert and M. P. Hobby.

A former National Party Cabinet Minister and member of Parliament for Papanui, Mr H. J. Walker, also seeks election. He is joined by Dr D. J. Janus and Mr John Masters as a member of the Coalition of Independents.

The seventh candidate is Mr Glen Coster, aged 19. He believes he is the first candidate to stand for a New Zealand local body primarily on a peace platform.

Sitting councillor for 15 years, deputy district chairman and townplanning committee chairman. A university lecturer. Mr Calvert emphasises his independence and is a strong supporter of the present riding system. He is opposed to amalgamation with adjoining local bodies and said Waimairi was large enough. Any amalgamation would result in a reduction of the personal service at present enjoyed by ratepayers. “Big is not necessarily better, or economical,” he said.

Mr Calvert said he was one of the councillors opposed to any increase in rates this year. The rates had been held at last year’s level.

“I find that being on the council is most challenging,” he said. Town planning was an area where he had acquired a considerable amount of specialised knowledge. This had been applied in the preparation of the new District Scheme. Mr Calvert said that if reelected he would be in a position to continue the demanding task of assisting with the hearing of submissions and objections to the District Scheme.

Former Burnside High School pupil, aged 19. Wishes to pursue a career in psychiatric nursing. Not a member of any political party. Mr Coster believes young people need representation on the council. He would work for the interests of young people in the district and would support council moves to help the unemployed. A strong supporter of open council, Mr Coster said ratepayers should be kept fully informed of local body affairs.

The improvement of community services, recreational and leisure-time activities was of particular concern. He would work hard to improve reading and footpaths and the disposal of rubbish. Mr Coster said he would work vigorously to have Waimairi declared a nuclear-weapons-free zone. “People have two basic choices: either they find ways to help put a stop to nuclear madness or they simply sit on the fence and wait for a nuclear holocaust to happen. I strongly believe we in Waimairi must not sit on the fence on this issue of human survival,” Mr Coster said.

Sitting councillor for 18 years, chairman of the finance committee. Mr Hobby said he was standing on his record. As finance committee chairman almost all the concerns of the council and its residents and ratepayers had been under his review. Waimairi was a “busy, bustling district” and problems would continue to be dealt with. Areas he mentioned were refuse and its disposal; the maintenance of reading and footpaths; and the maintenance of reserves, community centres, and libraries. Mr Hobby invited voters to support him and his Harewood riding colleague, Mr Calvert, as a longstanding and fruitful partnership on the council.

“I would also hope that Hazel Tait joins us back on the council, so that we can continue jointly the momentum in striving to make Waimairi an even better place in which to live,” he said.

A qualified lawyer and experienced accountant, former president and a trustee of the Canterbury Savings Bank, for many years the manager of accounting for International Harvester. Dr Janus offers his skills in financial management. “Money is only a means to an end and what it can do for people’s welfare is what I am interested in,” he said.

His concerns were community issues and how they affected people and financial resources. Positive direction and financial management for attainable objectives were needed. With efficient control, ratepayers’ interests would be safeguarded. Dr Janus said Waimairi did not exist in isolation. It was part of the Canterbury and national scene. Leadership and co-operation were needed in wider issues such as regional development. Dr Janus is married, with a family of four.

After 27 years in the Army, both in New Zealand and overseas, Mr Masters said he was in Christchurch to stay. A former commandant of Burnham Camp, he is now group personnel manager for a large Canterbury manufacturing firm. Mr Masters said this, his first attempt at gaining public office, followed up years of involvement in community and youth organisations. He offered management skills and experience to the task of running a local body more efficiently and effectively. Decisions should not follow party or sectional interests but should be made on the basis of practical policies which made economic sense and served the community as a whole.

Mr Masters said the greatest satisfaction he brought from his Army career was working with young New Zealanders. Sound leadership, based on resolve and integrity, would enable them to realise their potential value-as citizens. “Lightweight leadership, which chases the facile non-

issues for effect and avoids the basics, only increases frustration in the end,” Mr Masters said.

A permanent resident of the Wairakei riding he is a keen sportsman who also enjoys walking his dog on Waimairi streets.

He strongly disagrees with the melding of the moral issues of nuclear disarmament and the peace movement with the business of efficiently running local government.

Sitting councillor for nine years, deputy chairman of the town-planning committee, member of the Town Hall Board of management, the Community Arts Council, the Civic Music Council, and the Canterbury Aged People’s Welfare Council.

Mrs Tait believes she has the experience, understanding and commitment to represent faithfully the Wairakei riding. During her previous council terms she had acquired a keen insight into a wide variety of community affairs and served diligently on the three main council committees.

Traffic problems, rating reforms, and water reticulation had been some of the issues of public concern which had received her attention and would continue to do so if she was reelected.

Mrs Tait said competent management and wise use of council resources would remain priorities along with care and concern for the physical and social effects of planning.

“Consultation and involvement of the public in theplanning process are essential,” she said.

The review of the District Scheme, in which she had been involved, was an opportunity for public participation through support or objection.

Council duties were often time consuming but Mrs Tait said, “I look forward to using my time, energy, and enthusiasm on behalf of electors for a further three years.”

Former member of the National Party Cabinet, Minister of Social Welfare and long-serving member of Parliament for Papanui. A Justice of the Peace, chartered accountant, member of the Accident Compensation Corporation board, trustee of the Theatre Royal, and active patron of the Christchurch Operatic Society, C.M.G. Mr Walker is vice-presi-dent of the Christchurch Returned Services’ Association and a partner in several travel firms.

He believes it is “time for a change in Waimairi, for more competent management at the top, for vigorous, purposeful leaders who can move beyond their special fields to deal with problems of total community.”

Apathy created by disillusionment with party politics in local body government had to be eliminated. As an independent candidate he said a renewed interest in local body democracy was needed. A new spirit in local body government would come with the knowledge that “no matter what the councillors decide, the voice of the people can make itself heard.”

Mr Walker said regional success was built on the willingness of governments and local bodies to listen to the community. He pledged to work honestly and faithfully for the public and said his policy was “pdbple and their wel-, fare.”