Hawkins Eyes Up South Wairarapa Mayoral Challenge

Wednesday, 30 April 2025, 4:36 pm
Article: Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter

Off the back of a petition to keep South Wairarapa’s rates rise capped at 3%, Martinborough businesswoman Leah Hawkins is eyeing up the mayoralty.

Hawkins is a seventh-generation South Wairarapa resident with a background in business development and project management.

“I’m very proud to say that my grandparents built Hau Ariki Marae in Martinborough, and we’ve had more generations attend Martinborough School than any other family.”

She said it was the fusion of her ancestral ties to South Wairarapa and her professional expertise that set her apart from other potential candidates.

“I’m currently at a stage of my life where I can relate to many living and working here, faced with the same struggles and challenges, and many of the same opportunities.”

She said there were some clear challenges the district faced that she would address if elected mayor.

Her top three priorities were an operational audit of the council, future-proofing infrastructure, and cultural change.

“The community and council deserve the opportunity to reflect; to take a look at where we’ve been and what options for innovation we have to improve spending, efficiency, and timely service delivery,” she said.

She said she would fight for “actual solutions and innovation” that fit the district and its financial challenges.

Late last year, Hawkins presented a petition, signed by more than 1000 residents and ratepayers to cap the 2025/26 rate increase at 3%, ensuring affordable and sustainable rates.

The petition also requested a thorough review of council operations to maintain total operating expenditure at or close to the previous year's levels and for the council to prioritise essential capital projects, including improved wastewater treatment, enhanced water supply quality, and road maintenance within an affordable and clearly-stated capital expenditure program for 2026-2028.

As mayor, Hawkins said she would value transparency, humility, and customer service.

“Working in council cannot be a one person, one agenda job. It takes a community and teamwork to be able to bring to fruition a more empowered, more cohesive council.

“Right now our district is at a crossroads. We’re facing new challenges, outdated systems, disconnected leadership, infrastructure issues, and massive cost pressures.

“South Wairarapa doesn’t need to be reshaped into a city model that doesn’t fit. We have an opportunity to grow stronger, to lead smarter, to bring about fresh change and innovation.

“We need leadership rooted in local knowledge, powered and driven by people and not politics.”

Dame Fran Wilde was also seeking the South Wairarapa mayoralty.

– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

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