There are now two candidates in the running to replace outgoing Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher.

Ōamaru man David Wilson announced on Tuesday (May 13) that he is throwing his hat into the ring, joining existing candidate and former deputy mayor Mel Tavendale.

“I’m going to tell voters exactly what I stand for and leave out all the vague platitudes that mean nothing in the end,” David says.

The district has suffered from mismanagement in the last four years, he says.

“Rates have soared. They should be held down to the rate of inflation, no more, except in real emergencies.”

Through his website david4waitaki.co.nz, he outlines what his other priorities as mayor would be.

The list includes keeping local control of Waitaki’s three waters, re-opening Beach Road “now”, minimising debt, and revising the district plan to “stop beating up farmers”.

David was born in Dunedin, but calls Ōamaru home. 

An extensive CV on his website states that David helped establish the Whitestone Civic Trust in 1989, of which he is a former chairman and is now a life member.

He has also biked the length of New Zealand in 52 days, solo on a penny-farthing. 

“I’m a change driver,” he says. “I help communities discover their strengths.”