Election year makes for interesting council dynamics
“There will be people looking for a point of difference."
Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark says one of his priorities this term has been to try to foster “more cohesion” around the council table. He feels to some extent it has happened.
Although Clark himself acknowledges the final 10 months as mayor will probably involve some interesting dynamics, given it is an election year.
Clark has confirmed he will not stand for a second term as mayor, or a third term on council, when the October elections roll around.
To date his deputy mayor Tom Campbell, and fellow councillor Alex Crackett, have confirmed they will have a crack at the mayoral job.
Cr Ian Pottinger is also expected to announce his mayoral bid at some point.
“There will be people looking for a point of difference,” Clark said about the likely council dynamics during the remainder of the term.
“So, with each of the ones that will be standing - we have two [for mayor] so far, and I suspect there will be another one or two to come internally - people don’t want to be one of four, they want to say; ‘This is my point of difference’.
“Rangi [Cr Pottinger] has made it quite clear he’s in that position.”
“Those that want to be mayor; some will align with me, and you already see that. Others will say I want a point of difference on that alignment and I’m going to knock back all the time and be opposed [to what I say].
“That’s okay, that’s the nature of politics.”
Clark believes the setting of the 2025-2026 rates will probably be the most contentious issue in the final year of the term.
Talk of an 8.5% to 10.5% rate rise has been suggested but Clark wants it limited to 2.3%.
That is despite others suggesting 2.3% is too low and could lump added financial pressure on future councils.
“For me, my challenge to my colleges will be - you are in an election year, think long and hard about pushing rates up 8, 9, 10%.
“They need to think long and hard about ratepayers,” Clark said.
In his role as mayor Clark said he cannot promote one candidate against another but added speaking as an individual he would be entitled to do that.
He has already stated publicly that he feels Tom Campbell would do a good job as mayor - pointing to his corporate experience and the role he played when he has stepped in when Clark has been on leave.
Enter your email address to get each Southland Tribune edition sent to your inbox.
Clark is generally pleased with what has been achieved to date since the current council was voted in in October 2022.
“I came into this term with four things. To keep rates low - well I keep working on that.
“Get the museum sorted - it will be built shortly after I finish.
“Ensuring the recycling contract [with Recycle South] is extended to 2027… So the people that work there from the disability sector will not be undermined.
“And I always wanted to try and get a more cohesive council going. To some extent I have had that, although the Codes of Conduct have made that a little more difficult.”
The first council meeting for 2025 is scheduled for January 21, which is an extraordinary infrastructure and projects meeting.
Time to let some young local passionate energy lead this city