A desire to promote more engagement between the council and the community, as well as take progressive steps to help Central Hawke's Bay thrive, has prompted Jenny Nelson-Smith to stand for the Ruataniwha ward in the local body elections.
Her connections to the district go back to her mother who was born in Patangata and she said she has "lived, worked, loved and brought up my family in Central Hawke's Bay for nearly 40 years".
"My children were born at the Waipukurau Raymond Maternity Annexe and attended Terrace Primary school where their father, uncles, and aunties were born and attended school.
"My family are buried at Waipawa and Pukehou."
She said her working life in Central Hawke's Bay began in woolsheds, before moving to the then newly built Takapau freezing works.