Educator says it's time to give something back

Claire Hague.

After living and working in Napier for 30 years, Claire Hague, ONZM, is hoping to give something back.

The former principal of Napier Girls' High School and deputy chief executive of EIT will be standing as councillor at large for Napier City Council in October's local government elections.

"Napier has been a fantastic place to live, study and work - for me, and for my husband Paul and family," she said. "I would love the opportunity to be part of the next stage of our city's development."

Ms Hague said she would bring her governance skills and leadership experience, honed by teaching at William Colenso College, Tamatea High School, Napier Girls', and being on numerous local and national boards, to council.

She chose to stand at large because "the fact that I live in one ward was a bit narrowing around wanting to reach out to a number of communities, not only my own one".

Being a councillor was about drawing on the views of the community and then applying them to decision-making, she said, which she had honed in her previous roles. "I think the role of governance at whatever institution you're in is to ask the right questions, give support where it's needed and not to be afraid to challenge ideas."

From her time in education, Ms Hague said she knew what it was like to try to "balance a vision for the future and responsible stewardship of current ratepayers' money".

"If we don't listen to what they think is important to spend that money on then you get a bit disconnected," she said.

Napier did face challenges, she said, including erosion at Westshore, achieving long-term economic growth across the region, and ensuring the population feel "safe and connected in our own neighbourhoods".

"There are some significant issues that we need to talk about and take action on as a whole community," she said. "I believe that I have the experience and skills to work with people across the city to do that, if I am elected."

Ms Hague said she would like to see education continue to thrive in Napier, and ensure opportunities were created to bring young people back to the Bay.