Taupō’s deputy mayor says she’s ready to step up and lead the district, pledging to protect Taupō’s unique identity from Government interference and open new lines of communication with residents.

Christine Rankin moved to Taupō eight years ago and has been on the Taupō District Council for six years, the last three as deputy mayor. This will be her third attempt at the district’s top job.

She’s also been an elected representative for Taupō on the former Lakes District Health Board for the last two terms.

The former head of the Department of Social Welfare is a business coach and professional speaker who said she’s “hooked on local government” and had represented Taupō residents as an “active and forthright councillor”.

“I love Taupō, I don’t know why we didn’t move here a lot earlier, it’s a great place to live, but there are challenges we need to deal with.”

Rankin said her slogan for this campaign was “your vote has never mattered more” and said she would “fight until the end” against the proposed Three Waters legislation and be a strong and courageous voice for Taupō during the local government reform process.

“Three waters is a disaster for our community and completely unnecessary.

“Yes, there are problems with water nationwide, but the structure and processes attached would never be created by any intelligent business – it’s an embarrassment.

“This Government is hell-bent on central control and if this is not managed and led strongly the Taupō District could end up the small tail on a big dog with little community involvement or control.”

She believes there had been a big gap in how the council communicated with its residents and wanted the council to be more open and accessible.

“That gap could be filled by direct public meetings throughout the district on a very regular basis,” she said.

“Trusting people and sharing ideas with them does more for the community than holding any information back.”

Rankin said Taupō was growing fast, maybe too fast, and at some point the council would have to slow down and take stock.

“We are getting to that point and need to step back and look at the next steps. Our schools are bulging at the seams, and in terms of housing, we are in deep trouble.”

She said a mayor was elected to serve the community.

“I am strong, articulate and courageous. I will fight for what is right, as I have done all my working life and I do my homework.

“I am a leader, it is my passion and my skill. Building a team is an essential part of leadership because you can’t achieve much on your own. The stronger the team the better the result.”

She said her career had set her up well and over time she had “grown, developed and changed” and had fought for people who couldn’t fight for themselves for a long time.

“I’m energised and have a great capacity for work, I want to help make Taupō the very best it can be for the people who want to live here.

“We are a very proud community and I want it to be a district where the citizens are absolutely involved in making decisions as much as they want to be, it’s got to be about community-based decision-making.”

Credit: Stuff.co.nz