I’m a local business owner and real estate agent, with one term as an Oamaru Ward Councillor under my belt. I’m standing because I am passionate about our district and have the drive and determination to take the reins for the next stage. The cards that local government keep getting dealt are only making things more challenging. Increasingly tough regulations, multiple layers of bureaucracy to navigate, and a complete lack of common sense in all of it - no wonder the cost of living keeps on climbing. 

I left our town at age of 18 to serve for 20 years in the military, and was deployed on three operational tours during my time in service, two of those in Timor-Leste and one in Bosnia & Herzegovina. I returned to the Waitaki district at the end of my time in service because there really is no other place like it. Currently two thirds of the way through a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Politics and International Relations, and I have a New Zealand Diploma in Business qualification for which the focus was in accounting. I will soon be concluding a term as a member of the District Licensing Committee, and as a parent rep on the Waitaki Boys High School Board of Trustees, plus I have been a longtime spokesperson involved in our local RSA scene. As the owner of a heritage building on Tees Street I understand the challenges involved in maintaining these beauties. The cost of upgrade when making a ‘change of use’ to our commercial buildings is often prohibitive for building owners, and therefore can be detrimental to keeping them tenanted. 

I’m not here to play politics. I’m here to try help you understand how we need to take this council forward in a way that we can actually get the best out of it. Leading with people, and not to people. The only thing any candidate can actually promise you right now is that they’ll listen to you, represent all of us, and do their best to make a difference for Waitaki. Leadership is about standing beside our people and communities. Power with people, not over them. Bringing everyone along with the conversation and making sure they not only know the decision, but understand how and why it was made.

I have got the drive and the energy to get our region noticed, and the knowledge and the skill to take Waitaki’s message to those in power. Our district is large and breathtakingly beautiful, but what makes it even more incredible is our people. Vote Kelli for Mayor, and I will make sure our voice is not just heard, but can’t be ignored.

People. Community. Waitaki.

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