The newly elected Owhango–National Park Community Board (ONPCB) for the 2025–2028 triennium was officially sworn in at a ceremony held in the Taumarunui Council Chambers yesterday evening.

Elected members

The ONPCB members for the next three years are:

• Peter Zimmer – Chairperson
• Gail Gray – Deputy Chairperson
• Eddie Marsters
• Murray Wilson
• Anthony Gurr
• Councillor Luke Pepper – Appointed Council representative

Appointments to outside organisations

• Kaitieke/Retaruke Domain and Hall Committee: Eddie Marsters
• National Park Village Progressive Association (oversight of the National Park Village Hall): Murray Wilson
• National Park Village Plan Steering Committee: Anthony Gurr
• Liaison to the Owhango Residents and Ratepayers Incorporated Society (ORRIS): Gail Gray

Mayor congratulates board members

Mayor Weston Kirton congratulated the newly elected members and Councillor Luke Pepper on his appointment, noting that Pepper’s previous experience on the Taumarunui–Ohura Community Board would be invaluable.

“Community boards are at the grassroots,” said Mayor Kirton. “I encourage you to get out there, see what the feeling is, and bring that back to the table.”

He reiterated comments made at the recent Waimarino–Waiouru Community Board swearing-in, reminding members that it was a challenging financial environment for both Council and ratepayers.

“We have less, but we need to deliver more,” he said. “Whatever decision you make, it is critical to ensure it’s value for money while remembering where that money comes from.”

Members thank community for support

All members took the opportunity to thank their communities for their support.

Eddie Marsters said he had “a lot of highs and lows” over the last ONPCB term but that he had learnt a lot over the previous three-years and that he now had a better idea of what the Board needed to achieve going forward.

Anthony Gurr thanked everyone for their support saying that the last term was good, but he felt the coming three-years will be even better.

New ONPCB and deputy chairperson Gail Gray thanked her supporters for giving her the opportunity and that she was looking forward to working with everyone noting that they live in beautiful place and it was awesome to be able to represent the community.

Murray Wilson noted voting numbers were well up this year and thanked everyone who took part in the election adding it was great to see women standing and that Gail was elected.

Chairperson Peter Zimmer thanked everyone for their vote of support and that we had a community board that was “rearing to go” with no shortages of projects, challenges, and other issues with a large, diverse area and communities to look after.

Councillor appointee Luke Pepper thanked the other members for welcoming him saying he was keen to learn and get to know everyone around the table. He noted that Owhango-National Park was his ‘playground’ and it will be good to understand the issues the community was facing and see what they could do to assist.

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