By Councillor Heather Newell

Heather has completed eight previous terms on council. Her interests are resource management, policy, communications and consultations. Heather’s experience comes from consulting in the non-profit sector where she worked with hundreds of nfp organisations around the country. She is currently studying for a doctorate with Massey University.

Heather has provided the following questions the voters might ask of candidates.

1. Has your candidate the time available for attending workshops, meetings, committees, public hearings and consultations, seminars and regional meetings? Some of these are regular, scheduled, formal meetings and some are workshops, scheduled when needed. Formal meetings currently take place at 4.30pm, workshops are normally during the day because relevant staff must attend. Whilst online attendance is possible, it’s very hard to participate virtually with colleagues.
   
2. Has your candidate any conflicts of interest which will impact on their ability to make decisions, especially if they learn new facts about the issue.  Have they made a campaign promise that will impact on their impartiality at a later date? Have they or their family got interests which may impact on their decision to make an impartial decision? If so, they will need to declare these.
   
3. Do you know that councillors have to provide their own work place, where confidential material may be kept or where they can meet with their constituents? Only the mayor has an office in the council building. Apart from an ipad, provided by council, councillors will need their own phone and any other technology.
   
4. Do you know that elected members are paid a part time fee set by an independent body – the Remuneration Authority. The new determination will be set after the election. Some allowances are available.
   
5. Once elected, the councillors will be representing the interests of all citizens in our community, not just those who voted for them. Will they keep an open mind if they hear new facts and be a good listener to all sides of the arguments?

A “thank you” to Councillor Heather Newell for sending this letter to The Upper Hutt Connection.

01/09/25