Golden Bay Candidates Agree On Finding Savings

Wednesday, 3 September 2025, 2:04 pm
Article: Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter

Golden Bay gets just two councillors to represent it at Tasman District Council, but the ward is one of the most hotly contested in this year's election with five people hoping to be elected. 

Chris Hill was not running again, leaving Celia Butler the only incumbent to seek re-election, alongside mental health support worker Rodney Barker, transport planner Axel Downard-Wilke, businessman Julian Hall, and plumber Mark Hume.

Local Democracy Reporting asked the candidates on their priorities for Golden Bay, their views on this year’s average rates increase of 8.9 per cent, and how they will vote in the referendum on Māori Wards, as well as for an interesting piece of information about themselves. 

The candidates had strict word limits and deadlines and were told their answers would be cut off if they exceeded the word limit and not published if they missed the deadline. 

Downard-Wilke and Hume did not respond to the questions. 

Question: What is your top priority for the ward in which you are standing for election? 

Rodney Barker: Restoring and protecting catchments and waterways while supporting resilient, community-led solutions. 

Council decisions must align with planetary boundaries, ensuring affordable rates, thriving biodiversity, and wellbeing for residents rather than more debt-driven growth projects.

Celia Butler: To keep rates and other charges as low as possible, while allowing for renewal and maintenance of necessary infrastructure, such as wastewater treatment plants and roading. 

Julian Hall: To reduce unnecessary spending, ensure that our budget reflects the priorities of the community, and push for more transparent and inclusive decision-making processes that incorporate common sense solutions. 

Question: What is your opinion on this year’s average rates increase (8.9%)? Do you feel it’s justified and, if so, why? Or do you feel it’s too high and, if so, what specifically should the council reduce spending on? 

Rodney Barker: 8.9% is too high. Council should reduce consultant-heavy spending, focus on core services, and invest in skilled staff. 

Living within means, cutting unnecessary growth projects, and working with community-led initiatives can stabilise rates. 

Celia Butler: This year’s rates increase of 8.9% was the lowest possible while retaining a balanced budget. Costs such as maintenance, finance costs and insurance have increased just as for households. Must continually look for savings. 

Julian Hall: Complex questions require fully transparent access to the council's accounts for a thorough review by democratically elected representatives, however, council’s increased spending on staffing would be a good focus point for spending reduction. 

Question: Will you vote to retain or disestablish the district’s Māori ward in the referendum, and why?

Rodney Barker: Retain. Māori representation strengthens democracy and ensures voices often excluded are part of decision-making. 

Celia Butler: Retain; Māori at the council table with a vote, will bring benefits to the whole– [exceeded word limit] 

Julian Hall: Disestablish. Councils are meant to represent ratepayers, not ethnic groups. 

Question: What is something interesting about you that most people won’t be aware of? 

Rodney Barker: I've sea kayaked to Picton from Pōhara with my partner, it took us 12 days. 

Celia Butler: As a nurse and midwife, I worked at a hospital in Kenya. 

Julian Hall: I visited Ernest Shackleton’s grave in Grytviken while working in South Georgia. 

-Local Democracy Reporting is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

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