Dannevirke: District councillor to take shot at mayoralty

Tracey Collis is standing for mayor in this year's local body elections.

A second Tararua district councillor has announced she is making a bid for the mayoralty in October.

Eketahuna's Tracey Collis said she has put her name forward after being encouraged by the support she has had from the district.

"Having been tapped on the shoulder by numerous residents over the past 10 days, I've decided to declare my bid for the Tararua mayoralty," Eketahuna's Tracey Collis said.

Mrs Collis, a first term district councillor, joins fellow councillor Shirley Hull of Pahiatua in the contest for the mayoral job which will be left vacant after incumbent Roly Ellis decided ill-health prevented him from seeking a third term in office.

"Roly announced at the council meeting on March 30 he would not seek re-election at the October local government elections and since then I've been inundated with phone calls and face-to-face meetings and so I've decided to call it early rather than leave people in suspense," Mrs Collis said.

Mrs Collis and husband Mike have been dairy farming for 27 years and own a farm in Hukanui, between Eketahuna and Pahiatua.

Recognised as a dairy environment leader, Mrs Collis has championed economic development and better environmental outcomes prior to entering local body politics.

"I bring strong leadership, a balanced outlook and an astute understanding of good governance and these skills will move Tararua forward," she said.