Get to know the individuals standing for election for the Otamatea 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.
Roger BillingtonAffiliation: ACT Local Candidate statement: I bring international experience and local passion to the Kaipara District Council elections. Having built successful businesses and university programs in New Zealand, the UK, China and Australia, I understand how to deliver quality, cost effective results. My expertise spans sustainability, architecture, planning, and building economics. I am standing as an ACT Local Candidate because I believe the council must do more than just maintain the basics - we should be creating opportunity. I am committed to improving roading and traffic management, helping young people build careers locally, and supporting economic growth through business-friendly policies and smart investment. I value fiscal responsibility, genuine community input, and common sense leadership. Kaipara is growing. Let's guide that growth with integrity, capability, and vision - not ideologies. If you want to see common sense back around the council table, please give me one of your votes. Contact details: Phone: Candidate video coming soon |
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Joel BouzaidAffiliation: Candidate Statement My aim is to work for the people of our district in respect of all age groups and walks of life. I am coming from a corporate background in construction and have worked in a farm environment for many years on Great Barrier Island. Investigation of political agendas has been my focus since Covid. I am running now for Council to ensure a transparent and no nonsense decision making. Being a strong voice for the local community, families, the elderly and businesses in budgeting what's really important and needed in this area. I am approachable and a good listener for all your needs and want to represent you on the Council journey the next 3 years. Contact details: Phone: Candidate video coming soon |
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Fiona KempAffiliation: Candidate statement: Kia ora, I'm Fiona Kemp, standing for Otamatea Ward. With 25 years living in Maungatūroto, deep roots through the Kemp whānau, and over two decades in policy, planning and environmental leadership, I bring both lived experience and technical know-how. As a former Kaipara District Council Policy Analyst, I know how council works and can navigate bureaucratic bottlenecks. I bring proven governance experience as the Chair of the Joint Adaptation Climate Change Committee for Northland. Experienced in regional coordination, climate resilience planning, policy aspects of water management, legislation and regulation. My agricultural background, through our family's shearing business, combined with years of coaching local netball and working at Otamatea High School, demonstrates a genuine commitment to our youth and farming community. I'll connect with our community to advocate for improved rural roads, reliable water schemes, and recreational facilities. I've received so much from this community, I'm committed to giving back. Contact details: Phone: Candidate video coming soon |
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Denise RogersAffiliation: Candidate statement: I live on our 80 acre beef block in Maungaturoto with my husband and children, my family are fifth generation Kaipara residents. Attributes of financial sense, integrity, hard work and excellent time management, have seen me build a successful business of 20 years, while raising my family. I have enjoyed volunteering on local committees, having been actively involved in Playcentre, Pony-Club and Hakaru Hall. I would represent the residents and rate payers of Otamatea Ward with a common sense approach, transparency and open communication. I advocate to keep rates down and funds spent on the things that make a positive difference in our daily lives, such as roading, essential infrastructure and core services. I like to see rates funds being used to achieve tangible results and not spent on unnecessary bureaucracy. My determination and dedication would see me provide a strong local voice and effective representation for the Otamatea Ward. Contact details: Phone: Candidate video coming soon |
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Mike SchimanskiAffiliation: Independent Candidate statement: I've lived in the Kaipara District for over 30 years and bring a practical, get-things-done attitude to council. With experience across farming (12 years), roading and infrastructure (6 years), the local building industry (12 years), and as a volunteer firefighter (7 years), I understand the needs of a growing rural community. My vision is clear: support the rural sector and upgrade infrastructure to meet population growth. Council must be accountable - especially around over-engineering and consultant costs - to keep rates fair and services effective. Kaipara Harbour, our greatest natural asset, should be central in all planning and development. I also want to inspire more young locals to step up - living in a great community isn't a right; it's our shared responsibility. I'm ready to listen, represent, and deliver. Contact details: Phone: Candidate video coming soon |
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Mark VincentAffiliation: Independent Candidate statement: I am one of the sitting councillors for the Otamatea Ward and wish to continue my service for another term. I have lived in this community for more than forty years. I have earned my grey hair. I look forward to being part of a more trusted, credible and inclusive council that I can be proud of. These are times of change in terms of the very role and function of councils being under review, so my experience, insight and commonsense will be valuable on the new council. I have previous experience as chair of the Kauri Museum Board (in which I led a restructuring), as a member of the Kaipara and Whangarei District Licensing Committees, Otamatea High School Board of Trustees, and as a founder and secretary of the Otamatea HarbourCare Society. Contact details: Phone: Candidate video coming soon |
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Stephen WoodAffiliation: Independent Candidate statement: I moved to Ruawai in 2001 to teach at the College. I have been active in the community in many ways. Currently I am a Justice of the Peace, the Coordinator of the Community Response Civil Defence Group, the secretary of the Ruawai Promotions and Development Group and a member of the Otamatea Community Services. My wife and I own and run the cafe In Ruawai. The Otamatea Ward has played Cinderella to the larger Dargavile and Mangawhai wards. A lot of this is because it has been poorly represented by its councillors. It is time you had a councillor that will be active and present in promoting Otamatea. I am that person. When elected I will conduct regular sit downs and attend as many local groups that will allow me. A vote for Stephen Wood is a win for you and the Otamatea Ward. Contact details: Phone: Candidate video coming soon |
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