In 2006 the Edible Fashion Awards were born. While I was chair of the Hastings Arts & Culture Trust between 2010 and 2017 the awards became a highlight in Hawkes Bay's events calendar, attracting entrants nationwide.
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In 2010 I was elected to the Hastings District Council. Between 2011 and 2013 my focus was dedicated to working with the community, particularly through fundraising, to develop William Nelson Park and its much-loved Hastings Skate Park.
In 2013, in response to concerns on the effects of psycho-active drugs on Bay youth, I and former deputy mayor Cynthia Bowers organised and led a rally which presented a submission to the Government calling for the banning of legal highs.
From 2013 I continued supporting young people as chair of the district development committee through development programmes such as Youth Connections, which provides training and jobs by connecting young people with businesses. Career Conversations was another programme that introduced Hastings Girls High School pupils to potential options.
At the same time I became very aware of the concerns about safety in the city centre. As chair of Safer Hastings I introduced the City Assist Programme, which I continue to support. Following its success I shifted my focus to Neighbourhood Support Groups and, with the support of council staff, in three years we grew active community groups from 120 to more than 240.
Between 2010 and 2016 I co-chaired the Positive Ageing Trust, during which time we introduced the Digital Seniors' Programme - a computer training project designed to address social isolation in our aged community.
As a result of a remit from Cr Tania Kerr and me, Local Government NZ called on the Government to increase police numbers nationwide. Hastings has received increased police resources and work will begin early next year on a new headquarters for Eastern Districts Police in Hastings.
Promoting and marketing Hastings as a destination is one of my prime motivations. While on the council I have actively supported such events as the Night Markets, The Big Easy, HB Marathon, FAWC, Jazz on the Village Green, The Blossom Parade, Summer in the Park, HB Arts Festival and the Horse of the Year.
From 2010 and 2016 I was a trustee of the Te Mata Park Trust. In 2015 and 2016 I chaired the subcommittee that developed its 10-year management plan. A new shelter and toilets planned for the park are due to open in the new year.
Similarly, I worked with Hastings Host Lions Club and our council team to transform a bare piece of Windsor Park ground into the popular The Lion's Playground. Most recently, I have been a part of the group who turned the Havelock North Domain into The Village Green - a vibrant hub with the Pavilion as a community meeting place, alongside a playground.
3. Why are you standing for mayor and what experience do you have to hold such a prestigious position?
I am now in my eighth year as a councillor. In this time I have chaired the district development committee, the safer Hastings committee, the Hastings Arts and Culture Trust and co-chaired the Positive Ageing Trust, and was a trustee on the Te Mata Park Trust. A year ago, I was elected to deputy mayor and for the past five months I have been Hastings' acting mayor.
I have been a businesswoman for the past 14 years so I well understand the challenges involved. Over the past seven years I have brought that experience to my council roles. I have served the district's people with dedication and passion to make Hastings a better place. I believe I have the vision, drive and energy to make our dreams for our district a reality. Together, we can make a difference.
4. If you are successful what do you aim to achieve in the next two years?
I aim to build an inclusive team culture in our council which will encourage a united, innovative and collaborative community that will positively reinforce our past successes and enable our district to grow and prosper. These aims include safe drinking water through new infrastructure backed by thoughtful management and supported by efficient operating systems.
Together we will initiate plans for a growing and sustainable job market which will train and empower our people to take up those opportunities.
Heretaunga Plains will be protected through regional and central government custody that will care for, improve and sustain the viability of all our natural resources.
The council will partner with the Government, developers and housing providers to build more homes suitable for our demographic, social and economic spectrum. Working with the community, the council will review new waste reduction and recycling schemes.
We will strengthen and reopen our Hawke's Bay Opera House and its Plaza and the adjacent municipal buildings so the area will become a focal point of our cultural identity, a place to tell our Hastings and Heretaunga stories as well as a place to showcase our region's unique and the world's amazing talent.
Providing family fun and visitor experiences is important to our people. Our council will investigate opportunities to improve Windsor Park's amenities and look at ways to maximise the use of Splash Planet for our community.
Such visionary plans I believe will bring about a re-invigorated and fresh future for Hastings and a place we are proud to live.
Sandra Hazlehurst is a candidate for Hastings mayor in the byelection and acting mayor of Hastings.
All opinions are the writer's and not those of Hawke's Bay Today.
