With extensive experience in New Zealand’s local government—leading Waimairi District Council, a councillor on Christchurch City Council and now a councillor in the Western Bay of Plenty—I’ve always been a champion for the people in my community.
Let me introduce myself.
I’m Margaret Murray-Benge, and I’m running for mayor and councillor of Western Bay of Plenty.
I am highly experienced, passionate, and have remained true to the people I am privileged to serve. If elected as Mayor, I will continue to work tirelessly to get results that will benefit all Western Bay constituents.
I will draw on my experience in local government to be an effective and empowering leader for our community and for you.
We are at a turning point for future development. We must have a leader who listens to the people and puts the community’s needs first,
so we can move forward harmoniously and efficiently. I am that leader.
Equality must be embraced, our roads must be fixed and our rates must be controlled—these can only be achieved by working together.
I’m Margaret Murray-Benge, and I’m running for mayor and councillor of Western Bay of Plenty.
I am highly experienced, passionate, and have remained true to the people I am privileged to serve. If elected as Mayor, I will continue to work tirelessly to get results that will benefit all Western Bay constituents.
I will draw on my experience in local government to be an effective and empowering leader for our community and for you.
We are at a turning point for future development. We must have a leader who listens to the people and puts the community’s needs first,
so we can move forward harmoniously and efficiently. I am that leader.
Equality must be embraced, our roads must be fixed and our rates must be controlled—these can only be achieved by working together.
We'll ensure equality
Equality is about fairness, everyone having a voice, and treating people as equals. It is the cornerstone of democracy and is fundamental to a healthy, flourishing society. As enshrined in Article III of the Treaty of Waitangi, every man and woman in this district deserves a leader who believes in equality as a fundamental human right, and fairness for all.
We'll fix our roads
State highways SH2 and SH29 currently pose very serious safety issues, and are severely congested. Our wider roading network, including rural gravel roads, also need considerable attention. We must deliver on roading and infrastructure projects, so the whole region can prosper. We will work with our neighbouring councils to persistently lobby central government until our state highways are fit for purpose and provide a roading system that’s congestion-free, safe, and able to serve us all well into the future.
We'll control our rates
We are committed to controlling our rates and debt levels, minimising bureaucracy and reducing waste. We want value and transparency for every dollar we receive through rates and other sources, and will invest in projects that have the most impact for our whole district. We will push the regional council to share profits earned from the port, and we will challenge central government to return to our district the 15% GST it takes on our rates.
