Relationships, results and realism
Kia ora, hello and welcome to my official campaign site. I’m Mike Pettit, and I’m standing for Mayor of the Waipā district.
With decades of leadership experience in education and local government, I’m ready to lead Waipā into a future that’s community-driven, financially responsible, strategically-led, and grounded in strong, transparent leadership and respectful relationships.
Together, we can build a district that works for everyone
I am ready to:
Build strong relationships with Council through a connected community.
Bring people together.
Collaborate to obtain great outcomes.
Rethink how we fund major community projects.
Deliver better outcomes for satellite towns and rural communities.
Partner with mana whenua to support and grow the Māori economy.
Ensure a strong regional voice for Waipā for initiatives like Waikato Water Done Well.
"I have always found Mike Pettit to be very approachable when I have raised a concern or idea about our town. Waipā would be in great hands under his leadership."
Marie O'Malley Coles - Resident, Cambridge
Issues that matter
Here are the big issues and opportunities we have in Waipā.
Reaffirming relationships between Council and community
Be present as Mayor, out and about in the community.
Listen.
Establish a structure to help councillors connect more effectively with the community.
Create strong and meaningful relationships with residents, businesses, agriculture, and aged care sectors.
Be proactive in connecting communities with communities.
Initiatives
Think with a 'whole of Waipā' mindset.
Develop a Te Awamutu CBD upgrade and development plan in partnership with the Te Awamutu Community Board, Chamber of Commerce and other stakeholders.
Establish a Senior Council - an opportunity for seniors to input directly through councillors.
Establish a Youth Council, where youth are led and empowered to take on projects important to them.
Helping councillors build greater skills and knowledge
Effective governance training.
Build financial literacy.
Use strategic thinking.
Adopt effective questioning.
Use AI for summarising, analysing, and synthesising information and data.
Funding of projects
Rethink the way major projects are funded. We can’t afford rates and government funding alone to fund these projects.
Look into a range of options, including mixed funding models. For example, Council, philanthropic, business investment, asset sales, grants, work in kind, and residents donating money, resources, or services.
Strategically plan amenity projects in a timely, affordable, and budgeted way across our district.
Cambridge connections
Involve the community.
Identify the placement of an additional bridge crossing and set a time frame for land acquisition and bridge construction.
Develop and implement a parking strategy across the district.
Ensure there are traffic calming/speed hump standards for construction, and greater location scrutiny.
Through Waikato Regional Council, lobby for an orbiter service across Cambridge and Leamington, while also making more frequent connections between Cambridge and Hamilton.
Further connect cycleways to Leamington, Hautapu Industrial, and the schools in Cambridge East.
Waikato Water Done Well
Take an active role in the establishment of the new CCO (Council Controlled Organisation).
This will prompt a full and thorough review of the organisation at all levels.
Growth and development of our towns
Being a 'Tier one council' means we are a growth council. Regarding sections, we must provide an additional 20% capacity above and beyond demand over the next 30 years. This directly affects our debt levels.
Developers do pay for a large amount of this growth, but there is a flow-on effect for general ratepayers.
Future projects on the radar
The Te Awamutu to Pirongia Cycleway is planned, but needs funding.
Cambridge Library and Community Hub is also planned, but needs funding to progress.
Lake Te Koo Utu has a management plan in place that we must deliver.
Sports amenities and clubs across the district
Develop a master plan for the Cambridge Green Belt.
Create a sports field amenity master plan for the Waipā district.
Work with clubs and stakeholders to develop the above plans.
Practical solutions
Accountability
Waipā focus
Join the movement
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Join the campaign
Help support Mike Pettit's mayoral campaign. Volunteer your time to secure a better future for our district.
Email: 4waipa@mikepettit.co.nz
Authorised by Mike Pettit, Cambridge - 4waipa@mikepettit.co.nz