Standing for mayor feels like the right "natural step" for Marlborough's deputy Nadine Taylor.
Nadine Taylor and John Leggett pictured in June at the opening of the improvements in Neal Street, Havelock. Photo: BRYA INGRAM/STUFF
Taylor submitted her election nomination for mayor on Monday - the first person to put her hand up for Marlborough. One of her nominations came from current mayor John Leggett, who confirmed he would not be seeking a third term.
"It's exciting, because it feels like the start of something very positive," Taylor said.
"It's not a spur-of-the-moment decision. This is something that I've given careful consideration to.
"I know people say this sort of thing, but a lot of my colleagues have quietly asked me to consider standing, so it just feels like the right natural next step."
Taylor spent the last term chairing the assets and services committee and the civil defence committee, helping navigate Marlborough through the 2021 July flood. Recently she chaired the annual plan hearings, after Leggett tested positive for Covid-19.
"All of those jobs combined, along with some very generous support and mentoring from John Leggett, I think it's given me the skills and understanding that I need to be able to step up."
She said there was a lot going on in local government, which of course would impact Marlborough.
"There are a lot of reforms and potential changes coming at us in local government, and I think as councillors and politicians, we're very tuned into it and very aware of it.
"That definitely came into my thinking, because whenever you face change ... there's an element of risk and an element of opportunity."
Marlborough's council looks set for a fairly sizeable reset, after councillors Jenny Andrews, David Oddie, Michael Fitzpatrick and Cynthia Brooks confirmed this month they would not be standing in this year's election.
Councillor Mark Peters, who chaired the council's planning and finance committee, on Monday confirmed he would not be standing. Peters said the council would remain well served with a number of very capable councillors carrying on, and an excellent mayoral candidate in Nadine Taylor.
He said he had chosen to retire to spend more time with his family.
Councillor Francis Maher also confirmed on Tuesday he would not be standing in this year's election. Maher served five terms with the council from 1998, and stood for another term last election to ensure there was "good rural representation" around the table, he said.
But, he said he was looking forward to having more time to farm, without having the added responsibility of council.
Taylor hails from the Awatere and attended Seddon School and Marlborough Girls' College. For the last 24 years she lived in Picton, with a stint living in Tory Channel too.
Leggett said the role of mayor "needed a refresh from time-to-time".
Marlborough Sounds councillor and deputy mayor Nadine Taylor has put her hand up to run for mayor in this year's local election Photo: RICKY WILSON/STUFF
"Change is good. I could have easily stuck around for another election, [but] if I got across the line I don't know if I could have given it 100%, which I feel I've given the last six years," he said.
"So I just thought it was time to step away. I feel quite relieved and relaxed about it, and I will always be very supportive of the Marlborough District Council, and I'm absolutely backing Nadine, I think she will make an outstanding mayor."
Leggett, whose children live in the Northern Hemisphere, said he was looking forward to being able to "pack up and go" when he liked.
"I have a lot of connection with them, but at the moment it's just Facetimes and phone calls. I haven't seen my daughter for three years," he said.
He said working for council was a "position of privilege".
"You get the opportunity of often hearing proposals for the first time, you get the opportunity of making decisions about the direction our district is taking. It's hugely rewarding."
He said one of his "regrets" was that he would not be around to help "negotiate" Marlborough through the various reforms being undertaken.
"I've put a lot of work and effort into understanding all these reforms and how they impact on Marlborough," he said.
In a statement on Monday, Leggett said he was proud to have led a cohesive team of councillors with "balanced discussion and open debate in [the] council chambers".
"We have faced a number of challenges over the past six years which have added a layer to council day-to-day business - including the Kaikōura earthquake just after the 2016 election, flood events, closed borders in 2020, and occupation of council reserves by protesters," he said.
"We have responded throughout with clear planning and direction. I am proud to have played my part."
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