Jacqui Church – fourth term on council, last three years as mayor, lives at Port Waikato and is a business owner
Jacqui Church
Organisations like Waikato Chamber of Commerce are calling for widespread local body amalgamation. Do you support that call and if so, what Waikato local authorities would you want to amalgamate with? (50 words)
Amalgamation is inevitable for smaller councils over time, with planned, shared services increasing. Re-amalgamation has happened in the past and must continue, keeping local government relevant and effective. Collaboration is occurring now in the Waikato through Co-Lab, the Mayoral Forum, Futureproof and Council Controlled Organisations for Three Waters. Localism’s a choice of the people.
When you choose your deputy mayor, what attributes will you be looking for and how important is the role? Or will it be location based in the case of Waikato and Waipā e.g. Cambridge mayor, Te Awamutu deputy and vice versa; North Waikato mayor, Tamahere-Woodlands deputy and vice versa? What would be the requirement for a deputy mayor in Hamilton? (50 words)
Deputy mayors are critical for democracy, the people and mayor. Like councillors; strategically supporting, advising, leading and representing all our district. My deputy will be chosen for the best operational synergy of council, the people choose. To best represent our citizens for robust, stable, effective governance and representation, not egos.
You all say you want to cut ‘waste’. Specifically, what would you cut – give examples. (50 words)
There are many forms of waste in organisations $2billion+ in assets. Operationally we are restructuring now from top-bottom with senior leadership reducing from 11 to six. Implementing KPIs for all staff. Changed the 10 year old road Alliance for dual contractors, ebedding asset management back in-house, with KPIs for road maintenance efficiencies. Three waters CCO for scale and procurement focus.
Given the recent water reforms, should your organisation also be reformed and resized to fit (50 words)
New Zealand’s first Department of Internal Affairs approved Three Waters CCO plan and our councils LTP2025-2034, already reflects the future structure, focus and cost efficiencies for 9+years. Including re-focusing operational effectiveness and accountability, while maintaining our AA+ financial rating. Professional KPI-driven outcomes, asset management decision-making and focused procurement protocols across all assets and roads.
What is your view on (a) rates capping and (b) linking rates to an inflation index (100 words)
Our council has begun assessing the idea of rates capping and rates to inflation indexing however there are opportunities we will want to explore to ensure robust financial stewardship that reflects our ratepayers. Also the best outcomes for our tier-1 growth district now and in the future. The inflation index needs to reflect the local government inflationary pressures for you as ‘shareholders’ as the shopping basket is different for councils. Absolutely we are always excited to look at new and innovative ways to save our people money while maintaining planned infrastructure and growth and the needs our citizens expect and require.
What will you do to make your organisation more transparent (50 words)
Already we’ve instituted a new Trust and Confidence Strategy that will embed over the short, medium and long term communications and engagement as part of the everyday culture and operations of all staff. To ensure transparency and fit-for-purpose, accountable transparency. Our, restructure also will make council more accountable, operationally, over-time.
What’s your view on community engagement….and the massive costs of that engagement? (50 words)
The easiest is adding more resources to the communications departments. We haven’t done that. It’s a longer-term burn but more effective to have an integrated cultural operational change, putting communications, engagement and trust, with our people to the fore-front of thinking by staff, like Health and Safety. This reaps multi-outcomes for all.
What would you do to help people engage more in local government (50 words)
Building trust and confidence with our citizens is the ideal for better outcomes for those we represent. Our council a leaning forward to intentionally build local relationships. Better engagement with more local discussions that are as relevant as possible to the people, within the strict regulatory framework council operate in.
The media landscape has changed with wholesale closures of community newspapers throughout the region. Foreign owned companies like Google and Meta do not pay taxes, do not employ local people and rather than report on local body politics, pinch what they can from the newspapers that are left. There are now more people employed in council communications’ roles than in the actual newspapers. Each of your councils spend advertising money on foreign media. What responsibility do you think a city/district council has to support its local newspapers? (50 words)
Mainstream media is one of the key pillars of our democracy. As such absolutely needs to be supported to investigate and inform our citizens. Without the professionalism and commitment of fine reporting, our nation is less informed and open to the vagrancies of mis-information and algorithms of social media.
Finally, in 100 words, tell us why you should be mayor.
Developed new Housing and Environment Strategies to support more affordable housing and practical environmental outcomes. Delivered the first-ever Rural, Lifestyle and Smaller Community Strategy and our first Rural Economic Advisory Panel to support the unique needs of our 35+ rural communities, connectivity, and growth. The strategy covers half of our people and 88 per cent of our roads, creating a stronger Waikato for all. Transformation takes time. There’s more to do together and I ask for your continued support. I’m committed to cost efficiency, continuing to serve you with integrity and transparency creating a better Waikato, underpinned by inclusiveness, sustainability and growth.
Raglan Beach
Waikato district
