A background in business and farming

Rob Kent, candidate for CHB District Council's Ruataniwha Ward.

Let me introduce myself:

I have an extensive business and farming background, as well as two terms as a district councillor (Rotorua 2013-2019), before moving to Ongaonga where my partner Vicki and I operate a small stud farm breeding Angus, Texels and Thoroughbreds.

My business background includes many years running my own businesses, firstly in retail, then in computer software development and later retail consultancy, both in New Zealand and throughout the Asia-Pacific.

I have worked with, and advised, what have since become some of New Zealand's foremost retailers. I am no stranger to many of the issues and problems that will be facing Central Hawke's Bay businesses, particularly in this stressful new Covid-19 world.

I am also an experienced builder and property developer, and have experienced first-hand the regulatory nonsense that is crippling our building industry and causing much of our housing shortage.

It does not need to be this way. All it needs is the right direction and performance monitoring set at the top.

An accredited RMA Commissioner, I was one of two councillors entrusted with the enormous task of the RMA Policy Committee at Rotorua, streamlining and sorting out the District Plan, as well as adjudicating associated hearings.

I still assist Rotorua with some of its Plan Change hearings, and this experience can help Central Hawke's Bay when the district faces the same issues.

Locally I am involved with the Farmers' Caucus, attempting to sort out the practical ramifications of the regional council's PC6, which is threatening the economic future of our entire community.

There is no excuse for such inept legislation, and our community should not be forced to suffer because of it.

Improvement of our water quality is what we all want, but don't jeopardise our community wellbeing through badly worded legislation!

I champion the interests of ratepayers: I am prepared to challenge excessive rate rises; unnecessary expenditure; over-regulation; and bad decisions. I am not afraid to ask the awkward questions.

Council is a service industry that must work for us cost-effectively, and efficiently.

I offer my skills and experience to the community of Central Hawke's Bay as their replacement councillor.

My principal residence is not within the Ruataniwha Ward area.

I am a ratepayer within the Ruataniwha Ward area.