Mayor steps down from Council.
Late last year I shared the difficult news that I have cancer which testing confirmed to be metastatic. While treatment is ongoing, the prognosis remains uncertain.
During my extended leave from Mayoral duties, Council has been navigating a time of significant change - particularly in determining what Local Water Done Well, the Government’s water reform programme, means for the Mackenzie District. As this period of leave draws to a close, I’ve had to make two important decisions: whether to return and serve the remaining months of my term as Mayor, and whether to stand for re-election in October.
Although I’ve stayed up to date with Council business, the work we do is complex and fast-moving. I’m simply not across the level of detail needed to provide the leadership our Council and community deserve at this critical time.
It is with a heavy heart, therefore, and in the interest of continuity and stable leadership, that I have decided to formally step aside as Mayor. I have asked Deputy Mayor Karen Morgan to continue acting in the role until the outcome of October’s election is known.
Given the uncertainty surrounding my health, I cannot fully commit to serving our community in the years ahead, and so I will not be seeking re-election in October.
As I step away, there are many I wish to thank.
To the management and staff of Council: over the three terms I’ve served, I’ve come to deeply value your expertise, dedication, and adaptability. Without your efforts, many of us would have no water in our taps, no roads to drive on, and no shared community spaces to enjoy. Few outside the organisation truly appreciate the breadth and complexity of the responsibilities Council carries every day. Please know how grateful I, and so many others, are for all that you do.
To my fellow elected members: thank you for your time, energy, and unwavering commitment to our community. Your insight and shared purpose have helped keep Council focused on what matters most. I want to especially acknowledge Acting Mayor Karen Morgan, who has led with calm and capable hands during my absence. I have every confidence she will continue to guide Council with strength and integrity through the remainder of this term.
Finally, to you, the residents and ratepayers who call this remarkable district home: thank you. Your support has meant so much. Even when not every decision was met with universal agreement, your passion for the Mackenzie, its landscapes, its people, and its future, has always shone through. It’s that passion that makes this place so special.
Needless to say, this is not where I expected to be, nor how I imagined my time in local government would come to an end. But perhaps it’s a reminder that change is life’s only constant. We can’t always control what comes our way, but we can choose how we respond. Politics, even at the local level, can at times be divisive. My hope is that, as a community, we continue to meet challenges with open minds, respectful debate focused on the issues not the individuals, and a spirit that celebrates both our differences and the values we share.
The Mackenzie is a unique district and a truly special community. It has been the greatest honour and privilege to serve as your Mayor.
Ngā mihi nu, and God bless.
Mayor Anne.