Masterton mayor: I'm likely to be the last

Masterton's new mayor said she might be the town's last and that she wouldn't "rule out" standing as mayor for a single Wairarapa council.

Lyn Patterson, an accountant, had served as a Masterton District councillor for six years, before winning the mayoralty last month and has lived in Wairarapa for more than 30 years.

She said it was unlikely Masterton would have another mayor, after her term, with local government reform imminent and said the town needed a "stronger" voice.

"I think I'm likely to be the last mayor for Masterton ... and I think with these changes that are happening we needed a stronger advocate for Masterton and I believe I have that stronger voice.

"I have a good understanding of local government processes and I really want people to start to be proud of who we are in Masterton ... we have got to promote it [Masterton] and it not be a secret to people."

She also said she wouldn't "rule out" standing for mayor of Wairarapa, if there were a single Wairarapa council.

"I've only [just] been sworn in as mayor of Masterton ... it's very early days but I wouldn't rule it out."

Her work in local government began in 1996, when she became finance manager for Carterton District Council.

Mrs Patterson's work portfolio also includes work at a crayfish factory, as a cleaner, and as a financial advisor in South Africa, where she spent time mentoring young South African interns.

"I just love South Africa, it's an awesome country.

"Phil [my husband] and I actually went back earlier this year to visit.

" I still keep in touch with a couple of the interns, one of them I'm her second mum."

Mrs Patterson said she had always had an interest in local government because she "sees the difference we can have as part of the community we live in".

She initially had no intention of standing for mayor but decided to throw her hat in the ring after approaches from people asking her to stand.

"I did get quite a few people who wanted to see some changes but at the end of the day it was my decision, once I made my mind up ... that was it."

Mrs Patterson said the opportunity to be the town's first woman mayor was "special" but had nothing to do with her standing.

Making council more business friendly is one of Mrs Patterson's major objectives as mayor.

"We need to be encouraging and supporting people if people are prepared to invest here, we need to go that extra mile to encourage them and to make things easier for them."

She also wants to see Masterton's two trusts, Masterton Trust Lands Trust and the Masterton Licensing Trust come together with the council, and other community groups, to work collectively on ideas.

"So that we can encourage and welcome industry and business here, all rural towns face trying to attract business and industry.

"We've got a stronger and a better voice if we all work together."

She said women in New Zealand politics she respects are Helen Clarke and Marilyn Waring.

"There are two things that I've always wished I could do, that was sing and draw and I can't do either.

"I'm sure I've got a creative side hidden in me somewhere, it's just a work in progress."