Rachel Bowen has been elected to Palmerston North City Council, saying she wants to see Palmerston North grow and develop its own identity.
The 41-year-old mother of three said she was concerned about parents and families in the community who were not heard by the council. Bowen runs a learning consultancy business working closely with families and community groups in the region and this was a big influence on her standing for council, she said.
Issues such as public transport were of on her agenda and she hoped to look at reducing fossil fuel and encouraging better access to services.
Bowen also wants to see improvements in areas such as art and sustainability, and wants to help make the city more appealing for visitors and residents.