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Candidates for Mayor

The following candidates are standing to be the Mayor of Masterton. There is one vacancy for the position. They have been listed in alphabetical order.

Craig Bowyer

Craig Bowyer

Believe in Better

My principal place of residence is in the Masterton District Council area. I am also standing for Masterton/Whakaoriori General Ward and Masterton Trust Lands Trust.

After three years on Council, I'm committed to accountable leadership, better decision-making and more affordable rates. My focus is on investing where it truly matters – building stronger, more resilient communities.

We need to be realistic with our spending, needs vs wants. With the unknown true cost of Local Water Done Well we have to ask – do we need a new Town Hall? I see greater public value in turning the current site into a dynamic outdoor events space.

I want to revitalise the town centre through partnerships with local business and advocate for fairer infrastructure funding in rural areas including a special rate for forestry’s impact.

I'm a Certified Hearings Commissioner, a graduate of the Institute of Directors Company Directors Course, a current member of the IOD. I also sit on the NZ Automobile Association’s National Council.

Vote Craig Bowyer. Believe in Better.

My name is Craig Bowyer.

I am standing for Mayor of Masterton, and for Council in the General Ward of Masterton District for this upcoming election.

[On-screen text: What are your top priorities?]

My top priorities are: providing better core services and ensuring rates are held at an affordable level, along with progressing large raw water storage on land already owned by Council.

Amalgamation of the three Wairarapa councils needs to be back on the table, along with a unitary authority, so we decide our future, not Greater Wellington Regional Council.

We need to work alongside developers, urban and rural business owners to turn not only the town centre into a vibrant bustling area, but to promote and grow all the district and region into a prosperous thriving community.

[On-screen text: Why do you think you’re right for the role?]

I am the person to lead this, with one term on Council and over twenty-five years of business experience. I have built on these learnings by completing the Institute of Directors' Company Directors Course, become an accredited Resource Management Act commissioner, while also sitting on the Combined District Plan Hearings Panel.

All of these have given me insight into the issues that stop good governance.

[On-screen text: What’s the biggest challenge facing Masterton?]

I believe one of the biggest challenges ahead is balancing the needs and the wants of our community.

When hard decisions are to be made, these need to be communicated clearly, so that people understand the why behind them.

For better decision making, Vote Bowyer – Vote for better times ahead.

Thank you.

Contact details

Waireka Collings

Waireka Collings

Transforming Through Partnership

My principal place of residence is in the Masterton District Council area. I am also standing for Masterton/Whakaoriori Māori Ward.

Kia ora Whakaoriori! I am running for Mayor with fresh energy and new style to leadership, grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi and driven by whanaungatanga with a focus on connecting and championing our diverse communities.

At 42 years, I represent the median age of our population, putting me at the heart of our community. As tangata whenua I bring lived experience in te ao Māori and the western world, growing up here through the bilingual education system. I know designing with mana whenua is how we shape our Masterton, while also empowering our council kaimahi to do what they do best. This isn’t about ticking boxes, it’s about co-designing a vibrant Masterton that’s inclusive, ready for growth with a keen focus on our rangatahi, the rising generation.

Our chance to change the narrative is now! Try something new and energise our Masterton to purposefully design our future together.

Kia ora, ko Waireka Collings tōku ingoa, and I’m standing for Mayor and the Whakaoriori Māori Ward.

[On-screen text: What are your top priorities?]

One of my top priorities is the retention of the Māori Ward as a matter of partnership through Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Beyond that, we need sharp, new vision. We are living in challenging times and we feel the pinch of poor historical decisions. That type of decision-making needs to stop.

We need bold, future-focused leadership that embraces digital innovation and harnesses the power of AI to strengthen our connectability.

Next, we need to grow our people through education, internships and employment, and give our young people a reason to stay.

To do that we need big business, and our town must be ready for investment, and tourism that uses marae to host manuhiri, promote our kapa haka industry, beautiful beaches and farmlands.

I see a thriving town and remote working hub so our people choose to stay and work here, while enjoying free town Wi-Fi, with leadership who checks in and follows up.

[On-screen text: Why do you think you’re right for the role?]

I am fresh and sharp with the added benefit of bicultural lived experience. This is absolutely the game change we need.

I am a mum of five children focused on the future, a daughter of an ageing mother focused on kaumātua and elderly, and I am the median age of all our people, so I am perfectly positioned at the heart of our town.

I will create intergenerational prosperity and growth. Partner with me and let’s transform together.

Contact details

Bex Johnson

Bex Johnson

A Voice For Our Community

My principal place of residence is in the Masterton District Council area. I am also standing for Masterton/Whakaoriori General Ward and Masterton Community Trust.

As a three-term councillor and current deputy mayor, I bring proven leadership and extensive experience to the table. My service as Chair of the Town Hall, Library and Hood Aerodrome Projects, alongside roles with Wairarapa Youth Governance, Pasifika O Wairarapa, and key local community trusts, demonstrates my deep commitment to our district.

My strong working relationships with MDC staff, stakeholders and community partners, coupled with in-depth knowledge of Council operations positions me to lead Masterton positively from day one.

My vision is clear: a thriving, prosperous Masterton that caters for our community while attracting visitors, residents, and investment. We must enable and facilitate growth and economic development to maximise Masterton’s potential.

My priorities include:

  • Water resilience and storage;
  • Improving and developing infrastructure to support growth;
  • Enhancing our community spaces and places;
  • Driving economic development to attract new residents, visitors and investment.

Hi, my name is Bex Johnson. I am standing for the Mayoralty and General Ward for Masterton District Council.

[On-screen text: What are your top priorities?]

My top priorities are:

  • improving and developing our infrastructure to support growth,
  • enhancing and maintaining our community spaces and places,
  • improving our water storage and water resilience, and
  • supporting economic development to attract more people to Masterton.

[On-screen text: Why do you think you’re right for the role?]

As a three-term councillor and current Deputy Mayor I bring expertise, experience and energy to the table.

My strong and positive working relationships with our community, and Masterton District Council staff and stakeholders, positions me to lead Masterton positively from Day 1.

I can hit the ground running and keep the momentum going.

[On-screen text: What’s the biggest challenge facing Masterton?]

The biggest challenge for Masterton is to grow our economy. To ease the financial burden on our residents and ratepayers we need more residents, more visitors and more business investment.

By growing our economy, we will improve the lives of our community.

Council needs to roll out the red carpet, not the red tape, to get more people moving to Masterton, and to get Masterton moving.

Contact details

Stella Lennox

Stella Lennox

Leading Masterton Forward

My principal place of residence is in the Masterton District Council area. I am also standing for Council - At Large.

I know and love Masterton - its people, places, and potential. As a current elected Councillor with a full term under my belt, it’s time to drive real progress. I believe in smart, prudent decision-making without losing momentum. I’ve rolled up my sleeves as Co-founder of Kim’s Way Night Refuge, Board Chair at Lakeview School, and Board Member of Tupu Ana Business Masterton because building a better Masterton takes action. We must protect what matters, spend wisely, and move forward together. I’ll keep listening, stay visible, and work hard to ensure Masterton thrives, now and for generations to come.

Contact details

Kia ora, I’m Stella Lennox, and I’m standing for Mayor and Council – At Large Ward.

[On-screen text: What are your top priorities?]

As Mayor, my first priority will be bringing the new Council together as a strong, cohesive team.

The early weeks set the tone for the next three years, so we must build trust, clarity and a shared purpose from the start.

I’ll ensure we set a clear vision for Masterton, agree on priorities, and make sure every councillor knows their role.

A united Council means better decisions, stronger advocacy and faster results.

We need to focus on smarter spending and revenue growth by finding efficiencies and investigating investment opportunities for our ratepayers.

We need to keep the foot on the pedal around water storage and resilience. This is imperative for our district’s sustainability and growth.

And, looking at fairer roading rates for rural ratepayers – especially in high-impact areas like forestry.

Whilst working towards a unified region is a conversation we need to have early in the new term with our neighbouring councils.

[On-screen text: Why do you think you’re right for the role?]

I’m a proven doer. With business ownership and experience in construction, marketing and management, I have skills and experience for the job.

I’ve led high-performing teams and a very successful board at Lakeview School.

As a current elected councillor, I’m ready to get stuck in. I bring fresh energy, practical experience and a track record of delivering results.

[On-screen text: What’s the biggest challenge facing Masterton?]

Water resilience and rates affordability yes, they are big. I get it. But who represents our community around the table is just as big.

We need a diverse, progressive Council with varied skills and experience, so please get out and vote this election.

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