Voting gives you a say on the people who will represent you on local issues around the Council table. The elected representatives make decisions on behalf of their communities.
Hastings District Council delivers a wide range of services and facilities, and regulatory services, across our district that affect many aspects of your life such as roads, local parks, water, roads, waste, libraries, pools, events, planning, building control, animal control, environmental health, economic development etc. Voting allows you to choose who makes up the Council that governs these activities.
Congratulations to all candidates standing for Takitimu Māori wards in the 2025 Local Elections. Information and videos on candidates can be found below.
Heather Te Au-skipworth
My principal place of residence is in the Takitimu Māori Ward area.
Heather is a respected Māori leader, businesswoman, consultant and life coach from Ngāti Kahungunu. She is widely recognised for her dedication to improving Māori health, wellbeing, and community outcomes. As a current councillor, Heather brings strong governance and financial expertise, contributing to decisions that positively impact her community. She served nine years on the Hawke’s Bay DHB, chairing the Māori Relationship Board and as Deputy Chair of the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee. Heather is a current member of the Tihei Tākitimu Iwi Māori Partnership Board and has held governance roles across both community and corporate sectors. She co-founded IronMāori, a nationally acclaimed health movement that continues to transform lives across Aotearoa. Her leadership has been honoured with the Sir Peter Blake Trust Leadership Award and the Queen’s Service Medal. Heather gives 100% commitment to all she does and upholds He Whakaputanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi in every decision.
Email: heatherskip1@gmail.com
Phone: 027 320 5427
Kelly Jessup
My principal place of residence is in the Takitimu Māori Ward area.
Kellie is a dedicated Councillor from Flaxmere, committed to drawing our Pae closer at the Council tēpu—ensuring Māori voices are heard, respected, and uplifted. A staunch advocate for our Reo Rangatira, she believes karakia is a given—not a token—and promotes Tikanga in all spaces. She values peaceful resolution, even in conflict, and honours the collective strength and resilience of our people. When Cyclone Gabrielle struck, Kellie was a key player on the ground, using her networks to mobilise swift, effective support for whānau across the region. At the Council table, she is steadfast in her pursuit of Tinorangatiratanga—ensuring Māori are not just included but empowered to lead. Securing strategic Council planning days at Waipatu Marae and Omahu are proud milestones. For Kellie, Māori Wards are essential to true representation, and meaningful Māori participation in decisions.
Email: kelliejessup@icloud.com
Phone: 027 431 6668
Siiam Daniel
My principal place of residence is in the Takitimu Māori Ward area.
I come from community, raised in the realities many only read about. Through my management in social services, youth support, housing, family harm, and community advocacy working with agencies, I’ve walked alongside those our systems leave behind, Māori, Pasifika, tauiwi, and Pākehā, and I’ve fought to make those systems do better.
I’ve stood with whānau facing poverty, homelessness, trauma, and disconnection. I’ve been a voice for rangatahi, a support for whānau in crisis, and a connector between community and the services meant to help.
I bring lived experience, courage to challenge the status quo, and the ability to bridge the gap between council and community. I know how to turn kōrero into action and ideas into outcomes.
I’m standing for the Takitimu Māori Ward of Hastings District Council to bring strong, values-based leadership that reflects us, and delivers for all. Let’s move the waka forward, together, as one.
Email: siiamdaniel@outlook.co.nz
Phone: 027 366 4317
Sarah Greening
My principal place of residence is in the Takitimu Māori Ward area.
Sarah is a proud Māori wahine raised in Hastings, with whakapapa to Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngati Awa. She has dedicated over a decade to community service, leading initiatives in community empowerment, food sovereignty, whanau advocacy, and cultural revitalisation. Deeply connected to local iwi leaders and social networks, she brings a grounded, whānau-centred approach to everything she does.
Recognised for her leadership and commitment to manaakitanga, through grassroots initiatives and long established Maori institutions, she is passionate about upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi and ensuring Māori voices are central in decision-making. Guided by kaupapa Māori principles and inspired by her tūpuna, she continues to advocate for a thriving, inclusive Hastings where all whānau can flourish.
Email: sarahgreening3131@gmail.com
Phone: 022 322 9659
Bevan O'conner
Independent
My principal place of residence is not in the Takitimu Māori Ward area.
Bevan is a lawyer, business owner, and advocate for Māori rights. He brings legal expertise and practical leadership experience. He’s standing to steer Takitimu toward a Heretaunga Hou — a council that listens, spends wisely, and acts with mana. From water to rates to roads, Bevan wants council to get the basics right while keeping Māori at the decision-making table.
Bevan descends from Kahutianui, mokopuna of Kahungunu, and proudly stands here as one of his many moko. Bevan has spent two decades working in law, policy, and community kaupapa. He challenges bad policy and uses his platform to amplify rangatiratanga. Māori have always held mana whenua in Aotearoa, but we haven’t always held a seat at the table – Bevan stands to protect the Māori Ward.
His kaupapa is: Mahi. Mana. Manaaki.
Do the mahi. Carry the Mana. Uplift our people.
Vote Bevan O’Connor for Takitimu Māori Ward.
He rōia a Bevan, he kaipakihi, he kaitautoko i ngā mōtika o te iwi Māori. Māna e ārahi a Takitimu ki tētahi Heretaunga Hou — he kaunihera ka whakarongo, ka whakapau pūtea tika, ā, ka mahi i runga i te mana. Mai i te wai, ki ngā rēti, ki ngā rori — me tika ngā mahi matua, me noho tonu te Māori ki te tēpu whakatau.
He uri a Bevan nō Kahutianui, mokopuna a Kahungunu, ā, e tū ana ia hei moko whakahī. Kua rua tekau tau ia e mahi ana i te ture me ngā kaupapa hapori. Ka wero ia i ngā ture kino, ka hiki i te rangatiratanga.
Ahakoa i kōrero kē ngā reo Māori, he maha ngā wā kāore i rangona, kāore i whakarangatira. Kei te tū a Bevan ki te tiaki i te Rōpū Māori.
Mahi. Mana. Manaaki.Pōtihia a Bevan O’Connor mō Takitimu.
Email: bevano@gmail.com
Phone: 022 311 7541
Ngā mihi nui, Mana Ahuriri.