Councillor puts career ahead of election

ENDS: Solitaire Robertson leads Ernest, the mount of South Wairarapa mayor Adrienne Staples at a fete in Greytown. Both women are quitting local body politics at the end of this term.PHOTO/FILE

Job promotion has forced a South Wairarapa District councillor to have a change of heart about seeking re-election.

Solitaire Robertson confirmed yesterday she will not be standing again, despite earlier saying she would seek a fourth term as a Featherston ward councillor.

Ms Robertson has been promoted in her job with Carterton District Council and will now be in fulltime employment instead of working three days a week.

"It means I cannot justify seeking re-election as a councillor, I just would not have the time to make it work," she said.

Ms Robertson has until now been working for the Carterton council in the planning department and her promotion means she will continue to be involved with Resource Consent Planning but will also be the council's policy adviser.

"It's a bit sad to be giving up as a councillor but at the same time I am pretty excited with my new job, and being able to work fulltime," she said.

Ms Robertson became the youngest councillor at the council table when she was elected aged 26 in 2007.

She went to council principally as an advocate for younger people and brought to the table a firm understanding of issues involving Featherston, in particular, as she had lived all her life in the town.

Ms Robertson is a firm friend of South Wairarapa mayor Adrienne Staples, the two sharing a love of horses and horse riding.

Mrs Staples has already announced she will not be seeking another term as mayor, after 12 years' service in the top elected role.

"We will both be riding off into the sunset," Ms Robertson said.