Get to know the individuals standing for election for the Wairoa 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.
Jan BeattyAffiliation: None Candidate statement: As a longtime resident of Tangiteroria I'm standing for the Wairoa Ward to make a practical, positive contribution to Council. Together with my husband Ambie, we've built a successful dairy farm on the flood-prone flats of Tangiteroria and recently started Tangiteroria Transport - experiences that give me a clear understanding of the challenges facing rural businesses. I've served as Chair of the Tangiteroria School Board of trustees, the Home and School Committee and the Upper Wairoa Memorial Park. During the Tangiteroria Community Complex rebuild, I worked closely with the community and committee to deliver the project on budget - gaining valuable experience in mediation, financial planning and delivering value for money. My focus is better outcomes for rural Kaipara: improving infrastructure, stronger local investment, realistic budgeting and hold NRC to account for how our rates are spent. Let's get things done locally, responsibly and fairly. Contact details: Phone: Candidate video coming soon. |
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Matthew BrajkovichAffiliation: Independent Candidate statement: I stand for A.C.E, Assets, Community, Economy. As an independent, I will stand for delivery and expediting efficiency. My business background in engineering and infrastructure project delivery across New Zealand, from bridges to sewer systems, provides an understanding of costs, delays and effectiveness. I will represent you to the best of my abilities and I am looking forward to the challenge. Contact details: Phone: Candidate video coming soon |
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Neil DohertyAffiliation: Candidate Statement My name is Neil Doherty and am standing for the Wairoa Ward. 35yr ratepayer, resident of Redhill, developing my beef/forestry farmlet whist working in a variety of agri and business roles. Semi-retired I would be an active, involved councillor working collaboratively with all parties. Am happy to vigorously debate my beliefs. Love our region and would not choose to live anywhere else. Fiscal responsibility and lack of accountability are concerns. Have many questions regards Redhill reservoir water supply before Dargaville is saddled with inter generational debt. Experience in council is important fresh eyes And ideas are also. Central Govt has plans for councils, these need to be worked through. Sustainable growth good, i believe our region is progressing favourably. Lets create our preferred environment. Happy for a chat or catch-up at a candidates meeting. Thank you Neil Contact details: Phone: Candidate video coming soon |
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Rodney FieldAffiliation: Candidate statement: Julie and I, have operated a lifestyle small and large businesses in this district for the last 7 years, we appreciate the true old school New Zealand feeling of freedom and quiet serenity at Omamari. Formerly from Taranaki, we both ran multiple successful businesses and extended that aptitude into other regions including USA. I have stepped forward to contribute my skills of age and dealings to instigate potential for Kaipara, hold its heritage plus move forward in infrastructure gaining wealth and prosperity to locals. This area has so much to offer to visitors and locals alike. Energy of new residents like ourselves bring a vibe of excitement to be part of a community that we love about Kaipara. Council is here to lead forward through good and bad times in all aspects needed and wanted by its ratepayers including people who live work visit this precious place we reside in. Contact details: Phone: Candidate video coming soon |
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Brian JacksonAffiliation: Candidate statement: My name is Brian Jackson, and I've proudly called Dargaville home for over 20 years. I'm not a career politician, I'm a father, a farmer, and a long-time volunteer who understands the real needs of our community. I've served 15 years with Northland Fieldays and 20 years with the Kauri Coast Surfcasting Committee, working alongside locals to support events that bring us together. I've built and managed farms from the ground up, navigated the challenges of rural infrastructure, and seen how Council decisions impact everyday lives. That's why I'm running , to bring practical experience, transparency, and genuine community focus to the Kaipara District Council. I promise to be accountable, I'll listen, communicate clearly and ensure your rates are spent wisely. Lets fix our roads, improve local water systems, and support community hubs without wasting money on bureaucracy. I'm here to represent you. Lets build a better Kaipara, together. Contact details: Phone: Candidate video coming soon |
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Wero Te KinoAffiliation: Candidate statement: Kia-ora. If elected I will: Make sure our rates are spent in the Kaipara (not elsewhere!); Work with the Police, Māori Wardens, Community Patrol and the Community to make the Kaipara safer; Liaison with the Regional Council, Government, Local Iwi etc. to develop a clear plan for our Water Infrastructure; Create a mobile dog control unit to control the dangerous dogs roaming everywhere; Focus on an effective sustainable model to tackle our bad roads; Develop a Tourism Venture aimed at the two unique features of the Kaipara, those being kumara and kauri. It would incorporate the whole of the Kaipara so that everyone benefitted and could possibly be called 'Kumara and Kauri Tours of the Kaipara'. I would organize a working committee whose role would be to fully develop the structure of the tour, and to source investment, in order to make such a vision into reality. Tena koutou katoa. Contact details: Phone: Candidate video coming soon |
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Gordon LambethAffiliation: Candidate statement: For the past three years I have served as an Elected Member for the Council. Bringing strategic thinking, regulatory expertise, a strong belief in future-focused development grounded in reliable infrastructure. A sixth-generation Northlander with deep roots in farming, I'm committed to serving the people and land of Kaipara. I spent 27 years with the New Zealand Police mostly in Northern Wairoa before building a successful architectural design practice focused on practical, client-driven solutions. I've been involved in Community projects on a volunteer basis including the Tangiteroria Complex and the Community pool project, raising over $5 million. I've also supported youth through DARE and Bluelight for more than two decades, promoting youth education and driver licensing. I'm currently on the Automobile Association, the Licensing Committee, also Vice President of the Northland Property Investors Association. I'm committed to representing Dargaville - Kaipara with integrity, experience, and a deep sense of community responsibility. Contact details: Phone: Candidate video coming soon |
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Joesephine NathanAffiliation: Candidate statement: BEd, Masters. I'm a 48-year-old proud local, born in Dargaville and raised in Pouto on a dairy farm. I'm the daughter of Gus and Ella Nathan of Pouto, and great-granddaughter of Paraone Netana of Kaihu. I have strong connections across the Wairoa Ward, from Pouto to Kaihu, and I work in Dargaville. With a Bachelor of Education and a Master's degree, I bring leadership, resilience, and critical thinking. I've led mental health and cancer support initiatives and remain community-oriented and focused on real outcomes. I'm standing to be a strong voice for everyone. Farmers, families, business owners, and everyday ratepayers who want fairness and forward thinking at the council table. My core priorities are roads, land rates, and water. Rising rates and recent outages show our community deserves better planning, stronger leadership, and real accountability. Rural values, strong leadership for roads, water and community. Vote Joesephine Nathan Contact details: Phone: Candidate video coming soon |
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Ash NayyarAffiliation: Independent Candidate statement: My wife Mamta and I chose Dargaville in 2016 and have embraced the community ever since. As a dedicated Rotarian, I've been active in local projects. My priorities for Kaipara are inclusive growth, transparent governance, and truly listening to residents. B.Com, MBA (Finance) McGill, and a strong background in banking and turning around struggling operations, I bring proven financial expertise. I will ensure rates are managed wisely, cut wasteful expenditure, and direct resources to vital improvements in roads, footpaths, drainage, and water services. I'm committed to better support for youth and seniors, fairer resource distribution to Western Communities, and strong advocacy for public safety and healthcare. As Councillor, I've opposed delays, cost overruns, and closed-door decisions, especially around flood-resilience, Pensioners' Housing, and Mangawhai Wastewater. I promise leadership with integrity, no rate hikes, no water restrictions, and rate relief for seniors over 70. Vote Nayyar for a stronger, fairer Kaipara. Contact details: Phone: Candidate video coming soon |
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Pera PanioraAffiliation: Independent Candidate statement: Kia ora Wairoa, Ko Pera Paniora ahau. Born, raised and working in Wairoa. I bring 17 years of experience across the public and private sectors, including a decade practicing law. I currently hold the Resource Management portfolio for Ngāti Whātua, serve as a Commissioner, and have held numerous voluntary roles including on rangatahi and iwi trusts. Wairoa needs strong advocacy now more than ever. Over the past three years I've built trusted relationships and a solid understanding of council. As a ward we must plan ahead - investing to offset rates, addressing water and infrastructure resilience, and tackling the housing crisis. I'm proud to have helped bring roading services back in-house, creating local jobs. I will continue working to find practical, cost-saving solutions for our community. Stay connected: www.perapaniora.com Nā tātou te Kaipara - Together we shape our future. Contact details: Phone: Candidate video coming soon |
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Kurt RichardsAffiliation: Independent Candidate statement: I stand for transparency and honesty in local government. I will listen to the people and vote for what they want, not the interest of other parties. You the voters are who I'm fighting for. I stand for lower rates and better services delivered with the money you pay, and resistance to efforts by central government to drive up costs and take away your voices in local governance by stealth and force. Make Your voice heard. It's time to stand up and show how much we care about our community. Contact details: Phone: Candidate video coming soon |
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Snow TaneAffiliation: Candidate statement: I have proudly called Kaipara home for over 45 years and raised my family in Dargaville. My professional career spans leadership roles across commercial, regional, national and community sectors. I have held senior executive and management roles with TR Development Group and Progressive Enterprises and led major initiatives across retail, farming, tourism, environmental and youth support. My early years in the various roles laid the foundation for a commitment to people and environment. Regionally, I've contributed to key governance forums, including Civil Defence, Climate Adaptation and Economic Development. I've also served nationally on the Department of Conservation's Percentage of Revenue Committee. My community work includes chairing school boards, leading youth sports and supporting local clubs and grants committees. I believe in responsible governance built on integrity, transparency and action, a council that listens, represents our people and communities and delivers better outcomes for Kaipara. Contact details: Phone: Candidate video coming soon |
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Gordon WalkerAffiliation: Candidate statement: As a fifth generation Kaipara Resident I want to ensure the Wairoa Ward is represented and treated fairly by the entire council. It appears Mangawhai tends to receive far more thans its fair share of the rating income. Dargaville and immediate surrounds need to be assured of a reliable Fresh Water Source and wastewater services. Rates need to be capped. We require better roading and maintenance of our towns and villages. Get our Town Hall back to an operational standard. I am not standing for my own personal business interests. I genuinely want to help my community and will fight for you if you vote for me. Contact details: Phone: Candidate video coming soon |
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