Learn more about your candidates standing for Kawerau District Council in the Local Elections 2025
The candidate statements were submitted with the candidate nominations and will be published in the Voter Guide (sent by post with the voting papers to everyone enrolled by 1 August 2025). All candidates were offered to film a 90 second video with us which will be uploaded to our website soon. Please note: the candidate profiles are exactly as they were submitted with the candidate nominations.
Mayoralty Candidates (1 Vacancy)
ION, Carolyn | TUNUI, Faylene Karen Ngareta
Kawerau District-Wide Candidates (2 Vacancies)
ANDREWS, Wayne | ION, Carolyn | JULIAN, Berice Joyce | KINGI, Sela
Kawerau General Ward Candidates (3 Vacancies)
DRUMMOND, Melissa Joy | HILL, Tracy | KENNEDY, Lyndal | ROSS, Justin | WORSLEY, Anthony Ross
Kawerau Māori Ward Candidates (3 Vacancies)
APIATA, Waikite | DOWIE, Mal | HOWARD, Lyzette | LEOKAVA-TAANI Gloria Te Paki
Mayoralty Candidates
ION, Carolyn
E ion.family@xtra.co.nz P 027 415 6458
Candidate Statement
My principal place of residence is in the Kawerau District Council area. I am also standing for the Kawerau District-Wide Ward.
After nearly eighteen years as your Councillor, I've worked alongside our community through challenge, change, and growth.
With the full support of my family and friends, I'm now standing for Mayor.
This decision comes from deep reflection and steady experience.
I've listened, learned, and built relationships that helped make good decisions and lasting outcomes.
Now, I'm ready to take the next step, bringing clarity and leadership to the role, shaped by experience, connected to our people, and focused on Kawerau's future.
I will lead with openness, care and integrity and support a Council that works together and delivers for the people we serve.
Together, we can build a future that reflects our shared values, strengthens our connections, looks after our environment and creates opportunities.
Guided by experience, grounded in our community, focused on our future, your vote matters for Kawerau.
TUNUI, Faylene Karen Ngareta
Candidate Statement
My principal place of residence is in Kawerau District Council area.
Tena koutou katoa - Greetings to you all.
I am Faylene Tunui, Kawerau is home and I am standing to serve you once again as your Mayor.
I have served 12 years on Council as Councillor, Deputy Mayor and Mayor. I have Trustee and Geothermal Company Director experience from Ngati Tuwharetoa (BOP) Settlement Trust and Geothermal Assets Ltd. I have skills in finance, government investment, service provider delivery, and lead relationships with government and industry and employers locally, regionally and nationally for our community, with a dedication to the wellbeing of our people.
With high household living costs, neighbouring industries closing and government decisions and considerations impacting Kawerau, it is key that the leadership of our representative table can lead through current times of uncertainty and change.
I am a servant of Kawerau and seek your vote to continue listening, learning and leading, loyal to the place we call home.
District-Wide Candidates
ANDREWS, Wayne
E 1948oldsmobile@gmail.com P 027 336 0030
Candidate Statement
My principal place of residence is in Kawerau District-Wide Ward area.
I don't want to change anything with how Kawerau is managed and presented.
I wish to serve the community with advocacy and empaty, to protect what we have by doing what is wanted and needed for the residents of Kawerau, I am an out of the box thinker I love what the district has to offer, I want to be part of the decesion making to take Kawerau into the future. I care as decesions made today shape our future: I bring a fresh look and a new look at policies. I look forward to working with you all.
ION, Carolyn
E ion.family@xtra.co.nz P 027 415 6458
Candidate Statement
My principal place of residence is in the Kawerau District-Wide Ward area. I am also standing for the Mayoralty position.
I've proudly served Kawerau as your local councillor for nearly eighteen years.
This town is not just where I live, it's where I was raised and raised my family with my husband Michael and dedicated myself to making a real difference.
With a background in finance and deep involvement in our local businesses, schools, Māori organisations and sports clubs, I bring both practical know-how and heartfelt commitment to every decision I make.
I've always believed in listening first, acting wisely, and staying grounded in what matters most to our community.
Over the years, I've worked hard to support initiatives that strengthen our town, protect our environment and create opportunities.
I'm seeking your support for re-election so I can continue serving Kawerau with experience, integrity, and care.
Your vote will ensure a strong local voice that reflects and serves Kawerau.
But most of all, your vote matters.
JULIAN, Berice
Candidate Statement
My principal place of residence is in the Kawerau District-Wide Ward area.
My family arrived in 1955. I was able to grow up with the town developing and experience the friendship and special spirit of Kawerau which has continued to grow. As a planned town we have been able to enjoy many facilities and with peoples' willingness to help out and get in behind developments adding to our District. I returned permanently in 1994 and have watched the changes taking place but still retaining its special character. I have worked with our Youth Council and in other areas. It is important that everyone is able to enjoy all our facilities by maintaining high standards of maintenance and new projects meeting the future needs of our District especially the re-building of the Netball Pavilion. As a long serving Councillor, I have knowledge to be able to evaluate the changes ahead and make them work the best for all peoples in our District.
KINGI, Sela
Candidate Statement
My principal place of residence is in the Kawerau District-Wide Ward area.
Tēnā koutou katoa ngā whanau o Kawerau.
I am Sela Kingi, Kawerau is home and I am seeking re-election to serve as one of your elected members. I have served on Council for 9 years and sat on different governing boards in our local community, within education, health & social services and sports. I am grateful for all those who have supported me this far and would love to continue serving our community. My background in education, health and social services support the hopes and aspirations we have for Kawerau, under the protective korowai of Pūtauaki. I seek your vote to continue serving, challenging, listening and ensuring the voices of Kawerau is not lost in the noise of central government.
Kawerau General Ward
DRUMMOND, Melissa Joy
Candidate Statement
My principal place of residence is in the Kawerau General Ward area.
Kia Ora, My name's Melissa Drummond, I've spent the last 13 years living in Kawerau. My decision to run for council is mainly due to being able to see a wonderfully bright future for this beautiful town I call home and a strong desire to see it happen.
HILL, Tracy
Independent
E mechanicalchick@yahoo.com.au P 027 924 1686
Candidate Statement
My principal place of residence is in the Kawerau General Ward area.
My name is Tracy Hill. I'm 53 years old, and proud to be born and raised in Kawerau. I have one child, and returned in 2017 to be closer to family and rebuild our lives in the place I've always called home. I have a mechanical engineering background prior to becoming a mum and believe in hard work, fairness and common sense. To build on that, I completed a business course through Te Whānanga o Aotearoa here in Kawerau to strengthen my understanding and support our community. I believe our biggest challenge is keeping local control of the assets ratepayers have invested in. I want to protect what's ours and ensure local voices are heard. I would be honoured to work with others who care about our town and are committed to it's future. I will bring a firm, fair approach to representing the ratepayers of Kawerau.
KENNEDY, Lyndal
E lyndalkennedyforcouncil@gmail.com P 027 292 2366
Candidate Statement
My principal place of residence is in the Kawerau General Ward area.
I am seeking a successful election onto the Kawerau District Council.
Raised in Kawerau from birth. I am now raising my own children here.
I am proud of both sides of my family's history in Kawerau, part of making it what it is today.
A strong connected community comes from having a listening ear, understanding of the Kawerau district and the community working together for the betterment of the town. How your community looks and feels reflects on the people within it.
My attributes are, community focused, currently Area Coordinator of Neighbourhood Support Kawerau, I am Kawerau Rotary member, Whakatane Land Search and Rescue team member, I currently sit on the Bay of Plenty Conservation Board and am a member of the Rotorua Botanical Society.
If elected I hope to be there for the Kawerau community.
ROSS, Justin
E justinrossforcouncil@gmail.com
Candidate Statement
My principal place of residence is in the Kawerau General Ward area.
Kia ora whānau, my name is Justin Ross and I'm standing again for the Kawerau District Council General Ward. I've learnt a huge amount over the past three years, and I'm proud of the mahi we've done, but I know there's more to do. I'm standing to help steady the ship through challenging times, while continuing to grow, listen, and stand up for what Kawerau truly needs.
I was born and raised here, educated in our local schools, and now work at Tarawera High School supporting our rangatahi. I've spent over 15 years volunteering in local sport and community spaces, and I remain committed to building a strong, connected, and thriving town.
I believe in transparent leadership, honest conversations, and decisions that reflect the voices of our people. I would be honoured to continue serving our Kawerau community.
WORSLEY, Anthony Ross
E arworsley@xtra.co.nz P 021 250 8974
Candidate Statement
My principal place of residence is in the Kawerau General Ward area.
My name is Anthony Worsley. I have lived in Kawerau since moving here with my family in 1973. My late father Ross was in Kawerau at the formation of Tasman Pulp and Paper Company and worked there from 1954-1959. And my grandfather was their at the opening of the ANZ Bank in Kawerau in his capacity as Whakatane Branch Manager.
I went to Kawerau North School, Kawerau Intermediate and Kawerau College making lots of friends along the way whom I still see today.
However my best education was my employment at Meikles and then Smiths City from 1984 until the store closure in 2023. I established many friendships in serving, assisting and helping the people. I hope to continue to do that if elected to Council.
Kawerau Māori Ward
APIATA, Waikite
Candidate Statement
My principal place of residence is in the Kawerau Māori Ward area.
Ko wai au, who am I
Ko Putauaki te Maunga
Ko Tarawera te Awa
Ko Hahuru te Marae
Ko Ngati Pēhi te Hapū
Ko Tūwharetoa te Iwi
Ko Apihai Raimona tōku Koroua
Ko Rangiwhanake tōku Mama
Ko Waikite Apiata ahau, my name is Waikite Apiata
I am the youngest of four siblings: husband to my late wife Aporina, and together we have four children.
Raised and educated in Kawerau where I still live and work. I’m a former Mill worker and Union Rep; a current board member at Kawerau South School where my children attended; a local Church Elder, and Marae Chairman.
We’ve seen the impacts of changing governments on our community. These roles have skilled me in strategic thinking, negotiations, forward planning, leadership and volunteering in our community.
If elected, I will use my lived experiences and skills to reinvigorate Kawerau for our generation and the generations to come.
DOWIE, Mal
E maldowieforcouncil2025@gmail.com
Candidate Statement
My principal place of residence is in the Kawerau Māori Ward area.
Kia ora, my name is Mal Dowie and I am proud to call Kawerau home for myself and my whānau (family).
What I love most about Kawerau, is the diversity, different nationalities and Iwi that enrich the whāriki (fabric) of who we are as a hāpori (community). Together we navigate through challenging times and together we celebrate the success of our own.
I bring to the Council table my lived experiences, understanding of the social sector, involvement with whānau ora, tikanga values of my hapū, and grounding in my faith in Te Atua (God), all which shape how I listen, learn and lead.
My aim is to work alongside our hāpori, to seek meaningful solutions to create better outcomes for our Tamariki (children) and mokopuna (grandchildren), so they too can live, work and play right here in Kawerau. It would be my honour to serve as your elected representative.
HOWARD, Lyzette
Candidate Statement
My principal place of residence is not in the Kawerau Māori Ward area.
Tēnā Koutou Katoa,
Ko Lyzette Howard (Lil) tōku ingoa nō Ngāti Awa ahau.
I'm proud to call Kawerau home and reside in Pūtauaki.
I'm standing today to put myself forward as a Māori ward to serve our people and uplift our community.
I have 3 passions in this world; Education, Tamaraki and all things Māori. These passions guide me in life. I want our Māori people to thrive, succeed and lead in all they do.
I bring enthusiasm, drive, entrepreneurial skills, leadership, licencing and regulation and education knowledge. I am a teacher of over 20 years and business owner for over 12 years. I have established and run two preschools, one of which is currently operating in the Kawerau community.
I love our community and will endevour to serve with aroha, pono, whanaungatanga and manaakitanga.
Ngā mihi nui
Lyzette (Lil)
LEOKAVA-TAANI, Gloria Te Paki
E glorialeokavataani@gmail.com P 027 901 7680
Candidate Statement
My principal place of residence is in the Kawerau Māori Ward area.
Ko putuaki te maunga, ko ngati awa me ngati porou te iwi, ko mataatua te waka, ko Rangataiki te awa ko uiraroa te marae, Ko Elliott te whanau, ko gloria ahau. Kia ora koutou e te whanau, my name is Gloria, I am of half maori half Tongan descent. I’m the second eldest of 8 siblings spread across New Zealand and Australia. I have been gifted the oppotunity to come home and work alongside Eastbay REAP/Heartlands for the last 3 years here in Kawerau. I’ve also been the drive behind the Kawerau whakaora free kai store for 2 yrs of my time with Eastbay REAP which has seen us provide kai every week for over 35,000 families within their whare. Alongside REAP position I have continued to provide whanau with support with government services and whatever support needed. Applying for council as a maori ward will support That further. GT