Hamilton City Councillor and frustrated Cambridge resident.

 The same problems are affecting councils across New Zealand, which shows a systemic change is needed. Rates rises and increasing debt are not the solutions, because many people cannot afford them. Most councils claim this leaves only one alternative: cutting services. I do not want that. There is another option.

 30 years in the construction industry tells me that council projects cost twice as much as private work. This can change with better project management on the big ticket items - roads, waters, property. Start with cutting the bureaucracy so councils can deliver the services without paying consultants for every decision. Prevent project scope creep and get rid of gold-plated specifications. Tighten project requirements so contractors don't need so many road cones, and control timeframes so we aren't paying for workers and machinery to sit around. 

 Why doesn't this happen? Because councillors don't have the skills or experience. They don't understand this third option, so they leave the staff in control, and there is no accountability. 

 We need a team of councillors with engineering, finance, project management, business, property development, and commonsense. Better Waipa's policy is to support this team with local experts outside council to help them make good decisions and implement the change. 

 We have three great Cambridge candidates, Hope, Mike, and Ian. We support Roger Gordon for Cambridge, the only current councillor who has stood up for the people against the council management. His inside experience is invaluable. With all four Cambridge ward seats covered, I will continue my work as a Hamilton City Councillor, I won't stand for Waipa, but I will lead the team of experts to support our new council.

 With Les, Greg, and Bernard covering Te Awamutu and the rest of Waipa, we can have a council that is working for you, not for themselves.