Introducing two new County Councillors

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 27, 2 December 1986, Page 3

Introducing two new County Councillors

An 84-year tradition was broken in the Waimarino when last month the first ever woman councillor was elected onto the Waimarino County Council. Mrs Kay Wallis from the Karioi riding, was nominated for the position by Cr's Peter Winchcombe and John Martin. Mrs Wallis told the Bulletin that she doesn't feel in the least bit intimidated by being the only woman on the council. Mrs Wallis suggested that the reason there had been no women before was "theyjust hadn't thought of it." "In the days when the County Council was first established it was likely to have been only ratepayers who were entitled to vote for the council and it is likely that the majority of ratepayers were the men," she said. M rs Wallis has lived in the Waimarino area since 1954

and manages a 1200-acre farm at Karioi. As a farm owner she has found that she shares similar interests with many of the other county councillors. "I have received a lot of support and good wishes from the community at large and nothing but goodwill from the councillors," she said. "1 see myself in the capacity of a liaison link between the three bodies — the two Borough's and the County — to make the transition period towarcfs an amalgamated council as smooth as possible for the authorities and the entire region." Mrs Wallis is taking a keen interest in the work of replacing the Tokiahura Bridge in the Karioi riding, which has recently run into some problems. A comparison could be made with her intentions to "build bridges" between the rural ward and the two urban wards, which must eventually merge to form the new "Waimarino District Council." Mr Bill Harding, Waiouru farmer and father of four. has also recently taken on the responsibility of councillor with the Waimarino County Council. The two vacancies were created earlier this year following the death of longstanding councillor Malcolm Whale and the resignation of councillor of 23 years, John Martin. Mr Harding said he had his doubts as to whether he could fill the position as capably as either of the

former councillors. "Both men took with them an awful lot of knowledge and experience and for now 1 just plan to feel my way," he said.

Mr Harding has lived inWaiouru for the best part of his life and said that he has "supported the community right through." He is President of the Ohakune/ Karioi Rugby Club and is also on the Ruapehu College Board of Governors as well as being a Justice of the Peace. With his farming experience, Mr Harding was a likely contender for the position. He said that he has always been keenly interested in the workings of the council and has had a leaning towards the Waimarino even though he farms land in three other counties!