TE AWAMUTU NEWS | 1
THURSDAY JULY 24, 2025
TE AWAMUTU Benson Te Road, Te Awamutu 329 Benson329Road, Awamutu P: 07 870 1091 E: teawamutu@flooringxtra.co.nz
P: 63 07Maniapoto 870 1091 Street, Otorohanga E: teawamutu@flooringxtra.co.nz
OTOROHANGA
teawamutunews.nz
FREE
O’Regan’s last stand By Mary Anne Gill
Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan launched her re-election campaign this week, announcing that if elected, it would be her final term in office. She revealed she nearly decided not to stand again due to the toll abuse and threats had taken on her and her family. “I was frightened for them at times over the last three years,” she said, confirming she only made the final decision to run at the Local Government New Zealand conference in Christchurch last week. “To contemplate going through that again really rocked my confidence. It affected me in ways I don’t think people fully appreciated.” Despite those challenges, O’Regan has chosen to run again and will face longserving councillors Mike Pettit and Clare St Pierre in the mayoral race. “I made a commitment to drive the change that’s needed, and I’ve started that work. There’s still more to do.” She said she would not promise any “short term wins” during the campaign. As mayor, she would continue to focus on making the right decisions to keep the district moving forward with “clarity, credibility and purpose”. O’Regan, 53, is the daughter of the late National Party MP Katherine O’Regan. She was born and raised in Rukuhia, owns a dairy farm in Judge Valley with her husband John Hayward and they have a blended family of five children. “I feel really deeply connected with the
Waipā community. I’ve been here my whole life. I felt I made a promise, a commitment. I feel like it’s only half done. She was first elected to Waipā’s Kakepuku ward in 2016, re-elected unopposed three years later and appointed chair of the council’s Strategic Planning and Policy committee. In 2022, she defeated Jim Mylchreest to become Waipā’s first female and fifth mayor. “My first term as mayor was focussed on much needed, considerable change within council before we could make real progress. We’ve started making big strides in the right direction and there is more to do,” O’Regan said in a media statement yesterday (Wednesday). She said now was not the time for a change in leadership, a new direction or a different strategy. “With once-in-a-generation reforms underway in water, planning, and infrastructure, plus all of the pressures that councils around New Zealand are facing, right now is not the time to risk instability or return to short-term thinking.” She said the next three years under her leadership and with fresh talent and energy in some senior council roles – a reference to chief executive Steph O’Sullivan and an experienced leader for the Cambridge Connections reset - promised strong performance and positive change for the community. O’Regan told The News she did not take the challenges from Pettit and St Pierre personally.
Continue on page 5
JULY 24, 2025
No doubt about it...
Alice Brier and mum Bronwyn plant a pukio at Pirongia’s Alexandra East Redoubt last week as part of a special day for the community. Residents fought before the turn of the century to save the site from sale by Waipā District Council – convincing then environment minister and current Nelson mayor Nick Smith to take action. See Jesse Wood’s story and photos on Page 7 today.
murray hunt furnishers
Home Décor, Bedding, Furniture, Gi�ware and lots more.
How long since your last Dental Check up? Book in for judgement free, gentle Dental care.
www.murrayhun�urnishers.co.nz 63 Maniapoto St Otorohanga Ph 07 873 8640
220 Alexandra St Te Awamutu Ph 07 214 2161
45 Arawata St Te Awamutu Ph 07 214 2244
Find us: 9A Anzac Street, Cambridge, 3434
OR Call 07 823 1210 to chat to our team!
HELPING YOU GET IT DONE When it comes to getting the job done, hiring from Hire Centre Te Awamutu makes good sense. We have the right gear for your project! Landscape Lane behind
Phone:
07 871 5077