SAM JENNINGS

• Published date: 30 September 2022
• Publication title: Horowhenua Chronicle

“I’m running because council isn’t performing as it should be

With the right leadership, direction, monitoring and accountability, I know council can be better and an organisation that people become proud of, respect and value. Then we can finally address long-standing issues like broken footpaths and flooding — it requires focus and prioritisation of the core stuff, not fluff.

Horowhenua also needs a strong champion and advocate; whether on roading matters, three waters or other central government reforms, I believe I can work constructively while standing up for our needs and ambitions.

I’ve fought hard to increase council openness, lift performance, ensure accountability, tackle wasteful spending and improve governance practice.

Council has new management, and now we need a new mayor to achieve real change to complete the refresh and refocus council desperately needs.

I studied law, politics, international relations and criminology at Victoria University, graduating and admitted to the bar in 2006.

I’ve been a lawyer for NZ Police and CAA NZ. I’m currently working as an international legal and policy consultant, running my international consulting firm working with Pacific region governments, the World Bank and other international organisations. I am focused on drafting model law for Pacific states and revising a regional multilateral treaty.

Strongly opposed to decision regarding Three Waters, he said, “I led the decision to join the campaign opposing the proposed Three Waters reform. The reforms undermine democratic accountability and aren’t in the interests of our community. Instead, the Government should fund council three waters in the same way that they already do for local roading.”

He does not support the closure of the Levin landfill: “I’d first like to understand the complete picture around our district waste strategy and the impact of other imminent government initiatives, such as mandated food and green waste separation, along with new technologies that should also be investigated.”

He also wants to overhaul the recycling, “Recycling processing costs ratepayers around $1200 per tonne versus around $200 per tonne for general waste. Given that a high percentage of recycling tonnes is contaminated and sent to landfill anyway, I am not convinced our recycling...