Get to know the individuals standing for election for the Kaiwaka-Mangawhai Ward.
Each candidate is presented with their name, their affiliation, a personal profile statement, a photo and a short video message.
These are provided to help you better understand who is running and what they stand for.
Candidate nominations closed at 12:00pm noon on Friday 1 August 2025.
Stephen AllenAffiliation: Candidate statement: My decision to stand has come from local encouragement and my time to give back to the community that has given so much support to myself and my business ventures since the late 1980's. I will be lobbying for improved road maintenance, single lane bridge replacement especially the Hakaru bridge and upgrades to Gibbons Road single lane bridges with the volume of heavy truck traffic that crosses these bridges daily. Hakaru is simply not fit for purpose any longer. If I am elected I will be weighing in on facilitating more dog walking areas, more track development facilitating horse trekking an area so suited to year around riding attracting horse riders from Auckland to Whangarei and further afield not to mention international visitors. Strategic road upgrades accomodating cyclists the numbers of which now making it an extremely hazardous endeavour competing with the volume of traffic on our narrow roads today. Contact details: Phone: Candidate video coming soon |
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Ron BerkingAffiliation: Candidate Statement I am currently a Kaiwaka-Mangawhai school bus driver and skilled hospitality professional. My connection to this locale began 60 years ago when visiting the area with my grandfather and parents. My permanent move to the area was in 2011 and since then I have developed extensive Northland-wide tourism, events and business relationships in and around this Kaiwaka-Mangawhai area. My involvement in local school fundraising and active participation (Mangawhai Beach School), in the original MAZ development and playground placement, along with a two-year attachment to the Mangawhai volunteer Fire Brigade and a decade long family membership and association with the Mangawhai Head Surf Club, has anchored me to this vibrant and diverse community. As an elected council member, I will bring focus, trust, transparency, respect and a realistic balanced approach to many of the issues facing this growing community. Contact details: Phone: Candidate video coming soon |
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Luke CantonAffiliation: Candidate statement: I'm standing for the Kaipara District Council to represent the Kaiwaka-Mangawhai Ward because I believe our growing community deserves strong, practical, and financially responsible leadership. As a Mangawhai local of over 15 years, I live here with my partner and our five children, and I'm deeply involved in our community - serving 3 terms on the Mangawhai Beach School Board, the Mangawhai Activity Zone Committee, and helping with Harbour Restoration Society projects among other local initiatives. As an accounting professional, I bring financial expertise and a commitment to ensuring value for every ratepayer dollar. I want to see sensible investment in infrastructure that supports growth while protecting what makes our area special - our harbour, estuary, and stunning rural/coastal environment. With Kaiwaka and Mangawhai set to grow significantly, I'll advocate for smart planning, open communication, and decisions that serve both current residents and future generations. Contact details: Phone: Candidate video coming soon |
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Craig JepsonAffiliation: Independent Candidate statement: I am standing for election to the Kaipara District Council because there is further important work to be done. Over the past term as Mayor, I have demonstrated a proven track record for meaning what I say and delivering on commitments. In the next term as councillor, I will apply myself to tackling the difficult issues that matter most to our communities. Restoring and maintaining the health of our harbours will be a priority, recognising their vital role in our environment and economy. I am committed to supporting economic growth that benefits all residents, ensuring continued improvements to our roading network so people and businesses can stay connected safely and efficiently. Sensible financial management remains essential to keep rates affordable while funding the infrastructure and services our district relies upon. I believe strong, stable leadership is critical, and I am ready to continue working hard for a better Kaipara. Contact details: Phone: Candidate video coming soon |
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Nima MaleikiAffiliation: ACT Local Candidate statement: Time and again, ratepayers have been let down by Kaipara District Council with out-of-control rates hikes, neglected public services, and wasteful spending on ideological pet projects. It is time to give Council a wake-up call and focus on what matters in Kaipara. As a Mangawhai-based GP and Clinical Director of Alternaleaf, I understand the growing pressures our local businesses and families our under. Our ward is growing rapidly, and we need to deliver the infrastructure and accessibility to match. By voting for me as an ACT candidate you know what you are going to get: I will keep rates down, prioritise the essential infrastructure that Kaipara needs like road sealing, stormwater and drainage upgrades, cut out needless red tape on business, and bring fiscal responsibility back to the Council. If you want to see common sense back on the council table, please give me one of your votes. Contact details: Phone: Candidate video coming soon |
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Wiremu PaikeaAffiliation: Candidate statement: As a dedicated Father of three and a Man of Integrity, I'm Proud to Stand as a candidate for Kaiwaka-Mangawhai. With extensive experience with The Department of Corrections, School Attendance Services, Security Management and as a Men's, Youth, Age Care and Disability Support Worker as well as volunteering with Fire Emergency NZ, Police Blue Light, St Johns, Red Cross, Chaplaincy NZ, Lions Club, Kaiwaka Can and Community Patrol Mangawhai, I bring a unique blend of skills and passion to serve You and Our Community. As your representative, I will advocate for our district's priorities: Families, improving roading and infrastructure, wastewater management, rates, education, climate change, local businesses and safer communities. I'm committed to listening and working collaboratively to ensure Families and Our Communities Thrive. I will be Honored to represent You. For People Focused Leadership, Vote Wiremu Paikea, and Let's Work Together To Get The Job Done For Our Community. Contact details: Phone: Candidate video coming soon |
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Helen PriceAffiliation: Candidate statement: I am a Chartered Accountant with over 35 years' experience and have a practice in Mangawhai where I have lived for the past 12 years. I have strong fiscal and management skills, and a law degree with knowledge in contract and employment law. I can bring all of this knowledge and expertise to council. I have a long history of involvement in not-for-profit community groups, and I was a founding treasurer and board member of Te Whai Community Trust in Mangawhai. My goals as a councillor would be to listen to all of the people who make Kaipara their home and advocate for what they want for their district. I would favour Kaipara re-joining LGNZ as we are a small council that needs to be part of a bigger voice. I am passionate about our responsibility to the environment, and both the current and future residents of Kaipara. Contact details: Phone: Candidate video coming soon |
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Rachael WilliamsAffiliation: Independent Candidate statement: As your elected Councillor since 2022, I'm fully committed to continuing to deliver strong representation and real results for our communities. A Mangawhai resident & ratepayer of 21 years, I've raised a family here with my partner, local builder Dave Grant. Volunteering on Mangawhai Matters committee for 2 years was a real privilege, reinforcing my dedication to community causes. My priorities remain in supporting ratepayers to secure better outcomes from Council, 'doing the basics' well and continuing to challenge rate increases. I'm also advocating to increase KDC's landfill diversion targets. Strengthening KDC's accountability and performance in delivering core services and financial management is crucial. I'm proud of the progress made this term, particularly in roading and parks - I'm determined to keep that momentum going. My council experience benefits you by voicing local concerns effectively and getting results. With your support, I'll remain a dedicated and vocal advocate for Ratepayers. Contact details: Phone: Candidate video coming soon |
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