Kāpiti’s new Mayor Janet Holborow says she is honoured to be elected and says bringing the new council together will be the first priority.
“With over half of the council being new members, it will be important to come together around a shared vision, and make sure all councillors have a meaningful role. It will be all about building a team and making sure everyone has the ability to achieve their goals.”
She says the community boards promise to be an incredible resource, and she looks forward to supporting them as they create their work programmes, and it will be important that they have adequate support.
Ms Holborow takes over from retiring Mayor K Gurunathan who served in the role for two terms.
Her win was by one of the closest margins in the country, with just 249 votes between her and closest challenger Rob McCann from a total of 19,417 votes which was over 1000 more cast than the last election.
Ms Holborow said she was eager to complete planning for the redevelopment of Mahara gallery to put the facility in place as a cultural centre for Kāpiti in the first 100 days of her mayoralty.
She was also keen to progress the district’s emission reduction programme and to make sure council facilities and operations were as sustainable as possible.
She says Kāpiti had to work on building relationships with other councils across the region and with central government, “So that we can find shared solutions for shared problems.”
On Sunday evening the new mayor would be spending some quality time with family ahead of Monday morning’s pōwhiri to welcome the elected councillors and new Chief Executive Darren Edwards.
Mr McCann conceded the contest on Sunday. “Congratulations to Janet Holborow, Kāpiti’s next Mayor. It was a close race with just a few hundred votes in it, and while every vote counts, specials are very unlikely to make a difference.
“I believe our messages of transparency, listening and financial accountability have resonated strongly in the community, and I hope the new council ends closed door meetings and brings decision making out into the open.”
Mr McCann who championed the Housing Portfolio says he hopes the council continues to make bold decisions to deal to the housing crisis, doesn’t make promises it can’t keep over retaining an airport, and gets on with planning for change.
“To everyone that voted, thank-you. We are so proud that so many of you put your trust in us. Now it’s time to support the new Mayor, councillors and community board members. They have a huge job in front of them, let’s help them make Kāpiti the best it can be,” says Mr McCann.
Ms Holborow says she is ready for the challenges of the new role and is excited about the depth and breadth of the talented pool of new and returning councillors.
“I also want to congratulate everyone who put their hands up as candidates in this election, particularly Mayoral Candidates Rob MacCann, Chris Mitchell, Martin Halliday, Murray Lobb and Michelle Lewis. It takes courage and commitment, and I thank them all for contributing to a strong democracy. To all of the council and community board candidates, thanks for your commitment.”
The provisional results – Mayor: Janet Holborow. Districtwide Councillors: Liz Koh, Rob Kofoed, Lawrence Kirby. Ward councillors: Shelly Warwick (Ōtaki Ward), Jocelyn Prvanov, Nigel Wilson (Waikanae Ward), Martin Halliday, Glen Cooper, Kathy Spiers (Paraparaumu Ward), Sophie Handford (Paekākāriki-Raumati Ward).
