FOR WHANGANUI. FOR THE PEOPLE. FOR FUTURE-FOCUSED DECISION MAKING.

Whanganui is my home and my heart — I’m standing to protect what makes it special and to help our community thrive into the future.

I’m committed to serving with fairness, responsibility, and vision — making decisions that honour our people, protect what we value, and build a stronger Whanganui for generations to come.

connection. collaboration. relationship.

True progress comes from connection, collaboration, and strong relationships. When we listen to one another and work together, we build trust and find solutions that reflect the needs of our whole community. I believe council should be a place where people feel heard, respected, and included — because lasting change only happens when we move forward together.

“Democracy is only as strong as the people who engage with it. People need to see themselves in order to participate.”

Policies

My vision for Whanganui is simple: protect our environment, put our people first, and make decisions today that will stand the test of tomorrow.

Whanganui is more than where we live , it’s who we are. Protecting our environment and investing in strong infrastructure is about safeguarding the heart of our community. I will:
- Protect our natural environment: Ensure our awa, bush, and coastlines are cared for with sustainable policies that balance use with protection.
- Invest in essential infrastructure: Prioritise smart, future-proof investments in water, roads, and bridges so our community is safe and well connected.
- Maintain community assets: Keep facilities like pools, parks, and walkways accessible and well maintained for everyone.
- Support local resilience: Back projects that prepare Whanganui for climate change impacts, flooding, and other challenges.
Our greatest strength is our people. Every decision at Council should improve wellbeing, ensure fairness, and reflect the diversity of our district. I will:
- Address housing and homelessness: Work with government, iwi, and community providers to increase affordable housing and provide stronger pathways out of homelessness.
- Grow our local economy: Support small businesses and local industries, while encouraging innovation and skills development that create long-term jobs.
- Champion arts, culture, and sport: Celebrate Whanganui’s creativity and cultural richness, and back the organisations that keep it thriving.
- Put community voices first: Ensure people feel heard in Council processes and decisions.
Good governance isn’t about patching today’s problems, it’s about laying a foundation for tomorrow. I will:
- Think generationally: Make decisions that our children and their children will thank us for, not regret.
- Balance the books responsibly: Spend wisely, focus on projects that return real community value, and avoid burdening future generations with short-sighted costs.
- Use evidence and innovation: Back policies that are proven to work, while staying open to new ideas and technologies that benefit Whanganui.
- Plan for growth and change: Ensure Whanganui is ready for population growth, shifting economies, and new challenges without losing what makes our community unique.

about jay

I’m proud to call Whanganui home. Over the years I’ve dedicated myself to serving our people — from youth work with Te Ora Hou, to championing campaigns like White Ribbon, to governance roles on the Pākaitore Historic Reserve Board and the Community Taskforce on Youth Wellbeing. I bring both community and business experience as a director and consultant, and I’ve always believed in turning up, listening, and getting the job done.

I’m running for Council because I believe in Whanganui’s potential. Our strength lies in connection and collaboration, and I want to ensure decisions made at the council table reflect our shared values and deliver for future generations. Guided by fairness, kindness, and responsibility, I’m committed to building a Whanganui where people feel heard, supported, and confident about the future.