In Local Focus video interviews for the upcoming local body election, Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst says she's just getting started and her electoral opponent says he wants to move faster.
Elected two years ago in a byelection, Hazlehurst has a new chief executive in her council team to oversee $2 billion worth of assets across more than 5000sq km for 71,000 people.
Hazlehurst became a councillor in 2010 and wants a full term as mayor, determined to reflect people's wishes in everything the council does.
She's up against one-term councillor Damon Harvey who says he wants quicker decisions and stronger leadership.
The journalist-turned-PR-man made headlines over his stance on a gang-patching ceremony on Te Mata Peak, saying stronger action needed to be taken against antisocial gang behaviour.