Central Hawke's Bay – thank you. I am deeply honoured to be your next Mayor.

This victory belongs to you. To every person who believed council could do better, who shared their concerns, and who voted for change – this is your win as much as mine.

First, I want to congratulate all successful councillors elected. I look forward to working alongside you to serve our community. To those who stood but were not successful, thank you for your courage and contribution to our democratic process. Running for office takes real commitment, and our district is better for your participation.

To Alex Walker, thank you for your incredible service to Central Hawke's Bay over the last nine years. The impacts of contributions have been felt far and wide and your continued energy and passion for Central Hawke’s Bay is clear and very much valued. I wish you all the best for the future. Alex’s family and friends should be very proud of her achievements.

Now, the work begins.

I made commitments during this campaign and on Monday we start.

We will bridge the gap between council and community.

We will support local businesses better.

We will bring real transparency to council operations.

We will prioritise smart spending. Essential infrastructure comes first. Every dollar will be scrutinised. Ratepayers will see value for their investment.

To every resident, whether you voted for me or not, I am here to serve YOU. My door is open. I want to hear from you.

The challenges ahead are real, but so is the opportunity. When council and community work together, when we support our local businesses, when we're transparent and accountable – that's when real progress happens.

Central Hawke's Bay is an incredible place. I'm honoured to be your Mayor.

Let's get to work.

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