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“Things need repairing!” It should come as no surprise to people who know the Vinsen family name in Shannon that ‘young’ Bryan is now standing as a council candidate for the Miranui Ward. One of six children growing up in the Vinsen fold, Bryan’s father Robert (Bob) was Chairman of Shannon Borough Council and first representative on the Miranui Council. But that wasn’t the reason why the mechanic, business and family man and keen cyclist decided to enter the world of local politics. “I was going to do this last term, but it wasn’t the right time. But then listening to people and going to a few local meetings I thought ‘something is not right … things need repairing,’” Bryan says. The self-confessed “car freak” has passed the American-automobile gene onto his four sons. Between them they own nine cars, including Bryan’s American Corvette and Trans-Am. He began his mechanic’s apprenticeship in Tokomaru with Lou O’Donoghue. Five years later, he branched out on his own and has never looked back. He built the five-bedroom family home himself with wife Marie-anne, whom he met at Playcentre. Not as adults – they were both preschoolers! After thirty-nine years of marriage, five children (including one daughter) and five grandchildren, Bryan is able to devote time and expertise to the community he loves. It’s a reciprocal agree-ment. Getting out and listening to people, he’s aware the Miranui has been ignored. “They said they didn’t vote because they hadn’t seen anybody. You have to get out, meet people and visit.” In characteristic hands-on approach, Bryan says infrastructure is the all-important thrust for the HDC’s next term. He questions whether Shannon’s current upgrade will result in good water and requires a more satisfactory solution to the township’s sewerage situation; other than pumping treated effluent ad infinitum onto farmland. “It could have a limited life span.” Bryan envisages extending the new water pipeline from Shannon to Tokomaru and even Foxton should be a relatively easy task. He says not all communities in the Miranui Ward share what he calls ‘Shannon’s noisy nucleus.’ “But they all need good representation in the Horowhenua District to be heard.” ____________________________

Steamed Up Featuring Miranui Ward CANDIDATES’ COMMENTS

August 2013 Issue 2 Page 5

Don’t forget to tick and stick Have your say in the Local Authority

Elections FREE postal vote.

20 September to 12 October.

Bryan Vinsen

Choice and attitude essential to leadership When it comes to local knowledge, 33-year-old Piri-Hira Tukapua’s heart is set in her home in the Horowhenua. But that’s only the beginning. The councillor and mayoral candidate has a diploma in secondary school teaching and design/multimedia qualifications with a variety of development and management accomplishments. Piri-Hira has managed businesses in hospital-ity and tourism, retail clothing and marketing/communications. So it’s not surprising to hear that she has been in business for herself for the last seven and a half years. A swathe of projects including Altrusa, TANS and the co-chair of the Turakina Board of Trustees have advanced her belief that leading is about choice and attitude. “Each councillor is a representative and leader of the community. Accountable to the community, ratepayers and Central Government to deliver core infrastructure and assist with the overall wellbeing of its people,” Piri-Hira says. As far as her bid for the mayoralty is concerned, Piri-Hira again echoes these sentiments. “As mayor, I am well prepared to do exactly that. Capacity to lead is about choice and attitude. I’m a firm believer in earning respect, taking care of people and the environment and getting out of debt.” With strong networks throughout the District, particularly in the youth sphere, Piri-Hira has a commitment to change what needs changing. At the same time building new initiatives based on positive foundations already laid down. Governance training and experience will also help in her future as a Horowhenua District representative.

The top five issues Piri-Hira wants to confront are: Water quality and waste water, financial sustainability, economic development and tourism, education, employment and community well-being. Relationship skills and what she terms “good common sense” are second nature to Piri-Hira. “I’m ready to take on the challenges that face our homes, families and the District. Let’s move on and prepare a better tomorrow for the children of today.”

Piri-Hira Tukapua

Opinion! We’ve all got an opinion; even if it’s trying to ignore the political mail-outs and candidates’ parades leading up to a Local Authority election. The best hope is that we share in each other’s aspirations. But while ideologies are entitled to differ, there are a few fundamentals voters should insist in their Councillor or Mayor of choice: HDC Representatives are paid employees of the ratepayers, not vice versa. Any HDC Representative or member of staff who initiates or tolerates abuse, be it physical, emotional or verbal, has no place in this Local Authority. When was the last time you saw the incumbent Representative in the pre-election term, not just at candidates’ meetings? Ask him/her for their policies and how they can help your Ward. It is your choice not to vote. But at least with a tick you have earned the right to complain should things go wrong. Good voting! Christine Toms

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