Motueka Ward Candidates
For transparency, candidates were informed that their responses to the Local Matters survey would be published unedited.
Kerryn Ferneyhough
| 1. What is your plan to reduce the risk of and prepare Tasman for worsening weather events? I want to develop neighbourhood emergency response groups and train them so they are more prepared and resilient. We also need to look at our land use and infrastructure strategically. In some areas we can regenerate native forests to slow flood waters or reduce the risk of wildfire. When investing, we need to future-proof our housing and infrastructure, which includes building in the right places. At the same time we need to keep reducing our carbon emissions to stop making the problem worse. |
| 2. What do you think good rural and urban planning looks like for Tasman? Our district is a large territory with a small population. This means driving distances between our towns are long and housing options are also limited. Tenants are struggling to find rentals in Motueka. I think we need to build affordable housing where services already exist. This will make our towns and villages more lively and reduce petrol costs for everyone. We also need to support innovative forms of housing such as tiny houses and community living as they give people more options. |
| 3. Given the tight Council budgets, how would you still support the most vulnerable in our community? Rising construction costs, extreme weather, and reduced Government support are making Council’s financial situation more difficult. Our community is also feeling the cost of living crisis and rising unemployment. When there’s less in the collective pot it becomes even more important to make sure those most in need get what’s available. I expect the newly elected Council will have to reprioritise funding and make some difficult choices. |
| 4. What is your position on large impact projects like Sam’s Creek gold mine, Hope bypass or the Māpua fast-tracked housing development? I strongly oppose the gold mine. Putting a mine in the middle of a national park upstream of our Golden Bay community is dangerous as it could pollute the waterways with arsenic. It also doesn’t make sense to haul mining trucks over Tākaka hill and through our towns. Other projects need to be assessed based on the benefits they’re bringing to our people and our environment. As a Councillor I will ask tough questions like who pays, who benefits, and what environmental due diligence was done. |
| 5. Tasman voters will decide whether to keep the Māori ward in the upcoming referendum. What is your position, and why? I’ll be strongly supporting a yes vote in the Māori ward poll — to strengthen representation, uphold the principles of Te Tiriti, and ensure that decision-making includes the voices of both Treaty partners, which leads to better outcomes for all. A vote to remove the wards would signal a retreat from efforts to uplift underrepresented voices, while a result that keeps them could strengthen momentum for broader structural change. |
Brent Maru
| 1. What is your plan to reduce the risk of and prepare Tasman for worsening weather events? This has to be an all of community approach. What Council can do is return to the extraction of gravel from the rivers, continue to seek funding for our stop bank work and have a maintenance programme for our secondary drains and culverts. However the community needs to have there say and engage in bold conversations about future projected events and the cost to invest in mitigation or in some instances may need discussion about retreat. |
| 2. What do you think good rural and urban planning looks like for Tasman? I have lived my entire life in Motueka (last 2yrs Riwaka) and have enjoyed living both within town and semi-rural. I support choice and options and currently a shortage of zoned land is not stimulating competitive pricing. I dont want to live in a metropolitan city with 3 story apartments but accept in some areas this may provide options for lower priced housing. There are currently two proposed sub-divisions that are on the peripheral of the township that need supporting. |
| 3. Given the tight Council budgets, how would you still support the most vulnerable in our community? Council’s core front facing services, access to quality parks and reserves, access to information and resources through libraries provide support across all of our community.. Housing is the absolute challenge and having a clear, easy and affordable pathway for second dwellings (which the Govt is looking to address for minor dwellings – Granny Flats) but including tiny homes as housing alternatives is essential. |
| 4. What is your position on large impact projects like Sam’s Creek gold mine, Hope bypass or the Māpua fast-tracked housing development? Local Government exists through legislation from Central Government and successive governments often use Local Government as political pawns. I know of residents that cant wait to the repeal of the RMA, support a view that lets remove red tape and provide easy consenting pathways. My view is that decisions around these significant projects must be made locally and we should protect local decision-making. The risk is that the projects mentioned are taken away from your locally elected members. |
| 5. Tasman voters will decide whether to keep the Māori ward in the upcoming referendum. What is your position, and why? I support the outcome of the referendum but would encourage people to support this. I am an elected member of Maori descent, I do not however speak on behalf of local manawhenua. My dad was on the Maori role and could vote in the parliamentary elections for a Maori candidate. It is ironic that he didnt have the same opportunity in the local body elections and perhaps why he had no interest in such elections. Diversity of views and culture should always be encouraged not feared. |
Dave Ross
No responses received
Trindi Walker
| 1. What is your plan to reduce the risk of and prepare Tasman for worsening weather events? Drainage , the question is, which water way do we do last ? |
| 2. What do you think good rural and urban planning looks like for Tasman? Protecting farmland and ecosystems to prevent urban sprawl from consuming productive land and at the same time, create a sense of community with affordable options. It will only be achieved with good planning. |
| 3. Given the tight Council budgets, how would you still support the most vulnerable in our community? Seek other revenue sources, so we don’t overburden ratepayers, continue to advocate for ALL |
| 4. What is your position on large impact projects like Sam’s Creek gold mine, Hope bypass or the Māpua fast-tracked housing development? We cannot keep saying no to ecominic development, if the guardrails are in place. Why not. Improving transport times must be a positive Fast track, it doesn’t take account of local needs, this needs rethinking |
| 5. Tasman voters will decide whether to keep the Māori ward in the upcoming referendum. What is your position, and why? I voted agains Maori wards one person, one vote, we are one We share all services… roads , water , recreation etc , these aren’t seaparted by our ethnicity |
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