Mayor's Message
A question I am often asked by Nelsonians is how the role as Mayor compares to being an MP and Government Minister. It has also been asked by the media in the last week in response to former Labour Leader, Andrew Little’s decision to contest the mayoralty in Wellington.
Councils are the second division of NZ politics. Mayors have less responsibility and smaller budgets than Ministers, but it is more direct and easier to get results.
I also like that around the Nelson Council table there are no formal political party affiliations. It avoids the negative culture of opposition for oppositions sake, enables more constructive relationships with whomever is Government and makes it easier to form good relationships around the Council table.
Council meetings are a hybrid of what occurs in Cabinet and Parliament. Cabinet is collegial, thorough and most decisions are reached by consensus. Parliamentary debate is polarised, there are votes all the time and its more about theatre than good decision making. I try as much as possible to have the Nelson Council operate like a Cabinet, seeking consensus where I can but accepting sometimes the differences are too large and facilitate a debate and vote.
Government taxes and spends about ten times as much in any community as Council. A key role for any Mayor is having a good relationship with Government to ensure it is getting its fair share. Ex MPs and Ministers do have an advantage as Mayors in knowing how Government works.
This helped in securing $12.3 million in 2023 for storm recovery work and $9 million in 2024 for improving flood protection. My previous background as Environment Minister also helped our Council secure $3.4 million for the cleanup of contaminated wood waste at Tahunanui Beach.
The top priority in my Mayoral advocacy work is the much-needed redevelopment of Nelson Hospital. It’s good that the work to earthquake strengthen the tower blocks and to expand the emergency department is underway.
The next key problem is the acute bed shortage and substandard facilities. We need the redevelopment plan and new inpatient tower block approved and funded. I met with the Prime Minister and Minister of Health in Wellington and senior Health NZ officials in Christchurch in April to push for a positive decision. I will continue to leverage to the max my previous contacts and experience to get a good outcome for Nelson Hospital.
