Kia ora Waitaki, 

I’m Courtney Linwood, a mum of two and I’m standing for re-election to the Ōamaru ward. When I first put my hand up for council, it was because I wanted to see someone at the table who reflected the real lives of so many of us, someone young, raising a family, and navigating the day-to-day realities of life.

I’m running again because our future needs a seat at that table. The decisions we make today will shape the lives of our kids and generations to come. Having younger voices in the room means we’re not just talking about the future, we’re living it, and we’re representing it.

I’m passionate about people, about our communities, and about making sure your voices are right at the centre of every decision. Whether you’re running a farm, a business, or a household, I know how often you give so much and feel like you don’t always see that effort reflected back. That’s something I want to change.

I won’t stand here and promise I can fix everything, because nobody can. But what I do bring is energy, fresh ideas, a willingness to collaborate, and a deep drive to see Waitaki thrive.

The past three years in local government have been some of the toughest yet, and the road ahead isn’t getting easier. But despite the challenges, I believe in the opportunities. I want to make decisions now that ensure our kids and grandkids don’t just grow up here, they want to stay here, build their lives here, and see a future filled with opportunities right on their doorstep.

Local government is never easy. Change takes time, it takes teamwork, and it sometimes takes hard calls. I won’t always get everything perfect, but I promise to listen, to keep your voice in the room, and to always put our community’s best interests first.

That’s my vision for Waitaki: people focused, and built on genuine care for the place we are all proud to call home.