CANDIDATE: Serving a large rural ward

Peter Thomson is standing for the Awaroa-Maramarua ward on the Waikato District Council.

This ward covers the rural areas of Otaua, Aka Aka, Pukekawa, Mangatāwhiri, and Maramarua. Check out the full ward map on the Waikato District Council website.

I am standing for my second term as a councillor, after my first put me on a steep learning curve, which gave me a varied and highly fulfilling experience. I’m 68 years old, and with my wife Avril, have farmed in Maramarua since the mid-1990s, raising three adult children in the local community.

I hold a B.Ag.Com from Lincoln University, am a retired valuer and worked for nine years as a Rural Bank Manager. Avril and I farm sheep and beef and are part owners and consult to two small Waikato Dairy Farms. I strongly represent rural areas, which provide 50 per cent of rates.

I offer personal integrity, an excellent analytical grasp on finances, and credits my farming career for giving me an unflappable, pragmatic approach and adaptability to change.

I have found it difficult to fully connect with this large rural ward and has concentrated on governance, where I have earned the respect of other councillors and staff for direct and intuitive questioning. I have been readily available to ratepayers when required and they have enjoyed my open and honest answers to their questions and problems.

As well as input into all council committees, I have a particular workload in Risk and Assurance and Development Agreements which supervises council’s agreements with developers.

I’ve enjoyed working with other councillors, hearing new ideas, and am committed to representing this rural ward and the north of the district, fairly.

I want to continue to champion the needs of our constituents and the council as they respond to the current challenges at local government level.