Hawke’s Bay Regional Council Elections

Congratulations to all candidates for Hawke’s Bay Regional Council this year. Information and videos on candidates can be found below. 

Ahuriri-Napier General Constituency Candidates

The biggest questions facing Hawke’s Bay currently are water, and trust in our councils. We either have too much, or not enough. The future of our stopbanks should be looked at in a pragmatic manner based on how much risk we are prepared to accept. Water security is critical for the economic future of Hawke’s Bay.

Whilst water storage sounds like the solution to all our problems we should also be taking a serious look at water conservation. Having previously served a term on HBRC I have the experience to look at issues with a critical eye and know how the system works.

I describe myself as a pragmatic environmentalist and appreciate that the solutions to the challenges that confront us are going to take time to resolve and cost money. It is important that we get value out of every dollar spent.

See bailey4hbrc on facebook for more details.

I’m standing to protect what matters most to us: our communities, our environment, and the future we’re shaping together.

Our region faces big challenges, including climate adaptation, coastal hazards, flooding, and how we live safely alongside our rivers. As a Napier City Councillor serving on regional committees, I’ve brought my engineering background to help navigate these complex issues.

There are no quick fixes, but practical, responsive leadership makes progress possible. We need leaders who are honest about the challenges, understand the risks, and are committed to helping communities prepare, not just react.

Strong leadership also means facing what’s gone wrong, listening with humility, and staying focused on the solutions that move us forward. That is the approach I bring: collaborative, grounded, and mana-enhancing.

I’m ready to represent Napier at a regional level with clarity, courage, and love for our people, our place, and future generations.

www.linkedin.com/in/hayleybrownefornapier

Chartered Engineer, Environmental Hearings Commissioner, Local Community Leader.

I am standing because I care deeply about Napier, our people, land, and future. Over the past decade, I have fast tracked climate resilience across New Zealand. However, this is not just about experience; it is about action. Some have served for years, ask what they have delivered. I offer action where delays have cost our communities.

I live in Napier with my family and have listened to residents concerned about floods, water quality, and coastal erosion. Yet, delays persist; rates are rising while services decline; transport costs are up 48%, while buses are cut; 35% of aquifers exceed nitrate limits; and erosion action is delayed until 2030.

Treasury forecasts $500 million in flood damage, ESR warns of 10,000 health cases, and Business predicts 150 closures. I will act now in collaboration to deliver infrastructure that safeguards our people, land, and future.

Neil Kirton has been a very effective voice for Napier. He has been tireless in focusing the council’s attention on the threat of flooding and has demanded urgent action to improve flood protection and civil defence capability for the city. Cyclone Gabrielle proved his concerns well founded. We cannot keep building houses in high flood risk zones.

Neil has a post-graduate science degree. He is a justice of the peace and a former member of parliament, having served as the Minister of Customs and Associate Minister of Health. He was responsible for introducing free healthcare for children under six. Neil is a director on the council’s investment company HBRIC, with over $400million of council assets under management, including Napier Port and Foodeast.

As a regional councillor, HB Today described Neil as outspoken and constantly thinking about how the council is spending ratepayers money and its responsibility to the public.

Phone:  027 28 66 200
Email: ndkirton@gmail.com

Hinewai Ormsby is passionate about Napier and the people who call it home.

A proud local ratepayer, small business owner, and mum, she understands the pressures families face and works hard to make life better for our community.

As Chair of Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, Hinewai helped steer the region through Cyclone Gabrielle. Critical upgrades like the Taradale stopbank proved life-saving, and now she’s focused on accelerating flood protection in vulnerable areas like Napier South and Te Awa — making sure every dollar of the $260 million fund delivers real results.

A former Napier Girls’ High student and teacher, Hinewai has served her community in the classroom and around the council table. She’s committed to smarter council spending—cutting waste, building resilience, and ensuring ratepayers see value.

Above all, she’s determined to secure clean, reliable water for every Napier resident, so everyone can have confidence in their future.

•  021 077 0088
•  hinewaiforhbrc@gmail.com

I live just 3km away in Eskdale, where I’m deeply connected to the Napier community. 

With over 22 years as a successful local business owner of Dale Carnegie Training, I bring proven leadership, commercial expertise, and a lifelong commitment to Hawke’s Bay. As a founding trustee of the Sensible Sentencing Trust, I’ve worked to influence law reform and champion victims’ rights. When Cyclone Gabrielle struck, I was immediately on the ground helping flood-stricken communities. I led public meetings to confront the looting crisis and have spent the past 2½ years advocating for victims, many who felt the HBRC response was worse than the disaster itself. This work reflects my inner strength and compassion for our people. I stood up when our region needed leadership, not silence. I’m here to overhaul the current council, drive real change, and use my experience to ensure our environment and economy thrive together.

For more information about the elections see here https://www.hbrc.govt.nz/our-council/local-elections/