When I was a child, I wanted to be a stock truck driver. 

Growing up in Oamaru it seemed like an excellent choice, and I spent a significant amount of time picking out names for a black and white collie that would join me in the cab.

I had no idea who the Mayor of Waitaki was. 

I still don't, because Wikipedia doesn't appear to know either.

Local Government looks a lot different that it did in 1989. 

When the Central Otago District Council was established, I was 4 years old. 

Now I’m fortunate to lead a council that is committed, forward-thinking and collaborative but also aware that democracy as we know it is under threat. 

This may seem a strange comment from someone who has taken over a role that is usually elected under a democratic process. 

You may have seen the substantial slump in trust and confidence in elected members in our recent survey. 

We have a lot of work to do over the next 12 months. 

We need to be innovative with how we provide information, as our working community probably don't have time to watch online workshops or attend a 6+ hour meeting. 

I want our residents to feel their elected members are accessible. 

I want your kids and grandkids to know who their mayor is, and what a mayor does. 

("Go to meetings" according to my own kids!) 

It would be amazing if people were talking about Local Water Done Well around the BBQ this summer, and Open Spaces Strategy aspirations at morning tea.  

Central Otago District Council spends roughly $4450 for every individual in our District. 

What would you prioritise? 

A safe and secure bridge to access your grandparents house? 

A local pool for aqua aerobics? 

How about helping your community be ready and resilient in the face of an emergency? 

These, and many more, are functions of council. 

More importantly, they are the foundations of communities. 

There are conversations coming that ask you to consider what is most important. 

We will need to weigh up the cost of services we need to provide vs the value and enjoyment they add to living in this area. 

Watch this space!

I am incredibly excited to be leading this conversation around our towns, villages and farms. 

It’s undoubtedly a better fit for me than driving a stock truck.