Terpstra decides 'it's time for a change'

The deputy mayor of Masterton Jane Terpstra is retiring from council after a nine-year stint.

Mrs Terpstra said yesterday "it's time for a change" and she had decided to spend more time with her grandchildren.

She was elected to council in 2004 and became deputy mayor with the election of Garry Daniell as mayor in 2007.

Mrs Terpstra's major role with council has been as chairwoman of the Queen Elizabeth Park re-development committee, a job which has not only brought change, but also criticism from some ratepayers.

She said she accepted that in politics "you have to be able to take the knocks or cry".

Mrs Terpstra said she was proud of what had been achieved at the park, which was "looking wonderful now".

As far as the future of Masterton is concerned, Mrs Terpstra said by far the biggest issue facing ratepayers was the local body governance issue.

She is 100 per cent behind the Wairarapa Unitary Authority proposal.

"I am absolutely convinced it can work as it has for Marlborough and Nelson in the South Island. We have to keep control of our own purse strings."

Mrs Terpstra said she would continue to support her husband, Aage, in his medical practice, spend more time with her mother, who is still living at the Pirinoa home Mrs Terpstra (nee Hume) was raised in, and enjoy her five grandchildren, soon to number six.

"I want to be able to spend more time at Pirinoa, floundering and whitebaiting."

Mayor Garry Daniell said Mrs Terpstra had been a "fantastic deputy".

"I'm really disappointed she is not standing again, but I appreciate her reasons for not doing so. I have been very fortunate to have her as my deputy and I wish her well for the future."