A record number of women

A record number of women

Preliminary voting results suggest more women than ever could be at the Horowhenua District Council table this term.

Although not officially confirmed as Horowhenua Star went to print, preliminary results show Jo Mason, Katrina Mitchell-Kouttab, Lani Ketu, Nola Fox, Nina Hori-Te Pa and Judy Webby all holding seats.

There has never been six women on council. There were four when Christine Mitchell, Victoria Kaye-Simmons, Jo Mason and Piri-Hira Tukapua served together for three consecutive terms last decade, and in the late 1990s Olga Scott, Leigh McMeekan, Lynn Pearce and Marlene Macartney served at the same time.

Jo Mason is emphatically returned with a strong majority to be the top-polling candidate in the Levin Ward, returning to council after a term away but having served the previous three terms, including the last as deputy mayor. She says it’s an honour to be back after a decision not to stand last election for personal reasons.

The drive to return was to serve a district she is proud to call home, aware of some challenges facing the region, and she says it was heartening to see so many women also putting themselves forward.

In 2010, women accounted for just 28% of elected members to district councils, while at the 2022 election that representation figure was 38%. Just 18% of New Zealand’s mayors were women in 2010, compared to 32% in 2022.

Jo says it’s important to have a wide range of representation at council, of not only gender but of ages and ethnicities, too.

“It is important. Aotearoa New Zealand fought for women to have the right to vote and as wāhine we stand true to that,” she says. “We’re better together.”

Mayor Bernie agreed.

“Council should represent the diversity of the community,” he says. “It provides a good base from which to make decisions. It’s important to have different views. We need that diversity.

“We are getting closer to that balance so this is a step forward in the right direction.”

Horowhenua has never had a woman mayor.

Meanwhile, Luka Jansen has been elected to represent the region at Horizons Regional Council, along with Hamish Easton.

Women accounted for just 26% representation at regional council level in New Zealand last term, and made up 27% of candidates. 

PRELIMINARY  RESULTS

Horowhenua District Council

Mayor: Bernie Wanden. Levin General Ward: Jo Mason, Clint Grimstone, Alan Young, Mike Barker, Katrina Mitchell-Kouttab. Kere Kere Ward: David Allan, Nola Fox. Miranui Ward: Paul Olsen, Waiopehu Ward: Sam Jennings, Judy Webby. Horowhenua (Māori) Ward: Lani Ketu, Nina Hori Te Pa.

Foxton Community Board: Jason Davy, Judy Sanson, Ross Brannigan, David Roache, Irene Wakefield.

Horizons Regional Council (representing Horowhenua): Hamish Easton, Luka Jansen.

Māori Ward Poll: To remove the Māori Ward 5789 votes; to keep the Māori Ward 5484 votes.