Greytown Ward Hopefuls Get Candid On Costs

Tuesday, 16 September 2025, 4:51 pm
Article: Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter

With estimated water bills in South Wairarapa set to reach $6600 by 2034, Local Democracy Reporting has asked Greytown ward candidates what priorities they will focus on, if elected, to ensure people can continue to afford living in South Wairarapa. 

Simone Baker 

This is not an issue that can be addressed in isolation. 

The Central Government has implemented this plan across Aotearoa without providing adequate funding, placing the responsibility on local councils to carry it out. 

We must work collaboratively—with other councils, our local community, hapū, iwi, and Central Government—to develop practical solutions that are tailored to the needs of South Wairarapa.

It is essential that all voices are heard to ensure we create a lasting impact for our tamariki and mokopuna for generations to come. 

Martin ‘Boz’ Bosley 

Affordability has to be at the heart of every decision we make as a council. 

The reality is that water infrastructure is expensive and essential, but the way we manage it will determine whether people can continue to live here. 

If elected, my priorities are threefold.

First, transparency: ratepayers deserve clear, honest information about where every dollar is going, and confidence that projects are being delivered on time and on budget. 

Second, efficiency: we must make sure investment is targeted at the right priorities; fixing pipes, reducing leakage, and upgrading treatment plants using new technologies, rather than gold-plated solutions that don’t reflect the size of our community. 

And third, advocacy: South Wairarapa can’t shoulder these costs alone. We need stronger partnerships with central government to ensure small rural councils aren’t left carrying metropolitan-sized bills. 

I understand the pressure households are already under. I'm one of them. My focus is on value for money, smarter planning, and holding the line against unnecessary spending. 

By staying disciplined and practical, we can protect both the quality of our water and the affordability of living in our district. 

Michelle Dawson 

The estimated water bills for 2034 provides a ceiling that a trajectory should be established to show stepped strategies that reduce water bills to an affordable level. 

If elected, I would push for the council to approach this water and wastewater crisis as just that. 

A crisis that requires different thinking about how to reduce residential and business water and wastewater usage and then coming up with different strategies to upgrade and install the infrastructure allowing for growth. 

Water crisis and water efficiency strategies have been utilised during droughts and infrastructure failures that also reduce the burden on wastewater. 

There is also significant knowledge in the community that I would push for a true consultation process to harvest such knowledge. 

I would push for the council to examine many of the known strategies as well as evaluating options not considered before. 

Then I would push for the new regional Local Water Done Well to also have such objectives included in their contract of performance with specific measurements. 

Finally, you cannot successfully negotiate your way out of a crisis without tracking progress. 

I would push for regular reporting to the community on this significant issue that affects the whole community. 

Collier Isaacs 

The prospect of annual water bills reaching $6,600 by 2034 is unaffordable for many households and a serious concern for our district. 

Even though water services will be managed by a new regional entity, council still has an important role to play. 

First, I will ensure our community’s voice is strongly represented. Decisions on investment and charging models must reflect the realities of our towns, not just big city type assumptions. 

Second, I’ll advocate for fair and transparent funding. Ratepayers deserve clarity about where money is going, and the new entity must be held accountable for keeping costs under control. 

Third, I’ll push for local priorities to be respected. Fixing leaks, maintaining existing systems, and making targeted improvements should come before expensive new projects that potentially push bills even higher. 

Finally, I’ll support innovation and collaboration — working with iwi, neighbouring councils, and community initiatives — to find smarter, more affordable ways of managing water. 

Council may not run water directly, but it can and must fight for fair, affordable outcomes for South Wairarapa families. This is not just about water — the same approach applies to every council activity.

We will need to make hard calls to keep costs as low as possible.

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

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