Vision100.com IM Radio, New Zealand

21/08/2025

Powerful high pressure is moving in and over the South Island this weekend bringing more frosty nights and cold mornings around the nation. Some cloud and sh...

19/08/2025

What Minister [of the Crown] signed this deal off !

The coalition is not across the detail, again !

On the podcast day two of my look into just how much of your money's wasted by government and councils, and this time it's a murky deal over a building that ...

15/08/2025

Nicky no boats and the leader of New Zealand farce have managed to waste NZD$671 million taxpayer dollars, for no new ferries and no new infrastructure and nothing yet signed to replace the old ones.

04/08/2025

WARD CANDIDATE

It's Local Body Election time ! We'll be focusing on Hastings, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. Here's the reply - to our questions - from Flaxmere candidate - Henare O'Keefe ...

What made you want to stand for Flaxmere?

Henare O’Keefe stood for Flaxmere because of his deep love and commitment to the community he had served for decades. Known as the “Voice of Flaxmere,” he was driven by a desire to bring unity, safety, and opportunity to a suburb often overlooked. His work with at-risk youth, prison outreach, and community projects like the Flaxmere Heroes Awards inspired his campaign. O’Keefe believed in Flaxmere’s potential and wanted to give its residents a stronger voice in local government. His candidacy was rooted in compassion, service, and a lifelong mission to uplift and empower the people of Flaxmere.

What experience do you bring that could help you be the Flaxmere councillor, if you were elected?

Henare O’Keefe brings over 15 years of experience as a Hastings District councillor and a lifetime of service to Flaxmere. As chairperson of Te Aranga Marae, with his wife Pam managing its day-to-day operations, he has long supported whānau and community wellbeing. In 2007, he led the powerful “Enough is Enough” hīkoi, where 5,000 people marched against violence, showcasing his ability to unite and inspire. Henare has worked tirelessly in youth mentoring, prison outreach, and crime prevention. His deep roots in Flaxmere, proven leadership, and unwavering compassion make him a trusted and effective advocate for lasting positive change.

( A Note To Other Candidates Standing: Questions have only be asked of the 'Mayoral Candidates and Flaxmere Candidates' within the Hastings District Council electorate. Some Candidates will likely 'not' reply and no reminders to reply are sent to them. )

01/08/2025

MAYORAL CANDIDATE

It's Local Body Election time ! We'll be focusing on Hastings, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. Here's the reply - to our questions - from Mayoral Candidate, Steve Gibson; thanks Steve... !

What made you want to stand for Mayor?

I’m standing for Mayor because I’ve had enough of wasteful spending, rate hikes well above inflation, and a council that’s lost touch with ratepayers. I want to bring back accountability, focus on core services like roads and water, and stop vanity projects that don’t serve the community. Ratepayers are being squeezed while council bureaucracy expands. It’s time for leadership that respects the people who pay the bills.

What experience do you bring that could help you be Mayor if you were elected?

I bring 24 years of Police experience, including as a Sergeant and prosecutor, followed by two terms as a Manawatū District councillor where we kept rate increases to CPI. I’ve also run two motels in Hawke’s Bay for a decade, giving me real-world business and budgeting experience. I understand frontline service, public accountability, and how to lead teams under pressure. I’ve lived and worked across rural and urban communities and I know what practical, disciplined leadership looks like.

( A Note To Other Candidates Standing: Questions have only be asked of the 'Mayoral Candidates and Flaxmere Candidates' within the Hastings District Council electorate. Some Candidates will likely 'not' reply and no reminders to reply are sent to them. )