Council numbers look bad. I should know, I managed the Statistics department at the University of Waikato. 40% rates rise over the last three years is a big number for pensioners on fixed incomes. $392 million debt is a bad number for our children to pay back. Zero, zilch and nada are the numbers of comments allowed on council posts. So much for transparency, consultation, and public engagement.

I want to fix those numbers. I bring experience, expertise, and enthusiasm to dealing with both data and people.

I’ve lived in rural Waipa for 40 years, yet the last 3 years stand out with the mess made of Cambridge and Kihikihi Streets. We must stop that happening in Te Awamutu.

We need a Better Waipa team of commonsense councillors who will listen to and work with both town and country residents, which is why Groundswell’s local coordinators have endorsed us.