Christina Humphreys has resigned from her role as a Western Bay of Plenty District councillor after a tumultuous year. Photo / George Novak
Christina Humphreys has resigned from her role as a Western Bay of Plenty District councillor after a tumultuous year. Photo / George Novak
A Western Bay of Plenty byelection will now be held to fill the role of outgoing councillor Christina Humphreys who describes her past 15 months in the role as a "humiliating and depressing experience".
Humphreys resigned on Wednesday, stating her health had become negatively affected by the stresses of theposition.
Humphreys was elected in October 2019 after receiving 1686 votes for the Katikati Waihi Beach ward. She was elected alongside fellow councillors James Denyer (2255 votes) and Anne Henry (1491 votes).
Humphreys told the Bay of Plenty Times the toll of councillor pressures reached a point that last month she collapsed. She was still recovering from "crashing".
"I didn't realise how bad it was until at Christmas time. I'm only just coming right now."
Humphreys, who is aged in her 70s, is a cancer survivor and said it could return under significant stress.
"I thought 'why should I put my health at such risk?'
Humphreys said she felt saddened that she was letting down her supporters down. A core group of Western Bay residents backed her 2019 campaign and her phone had been constantly ringing from supporters wishing her well in the 24 hours since her resignation.
However: "If I got cancer again or something else happened, they can't save me."
Humphreys was frustrated at what she believed to be heavy interference from central Government on councils such as Western Bay, she said.
"I thought I could make a change but I realised you can't do much."
It has been a tumultuous year for Humphreys, who faced a potential Code of Conduct complaint that she held a predetermined view on the return of Panepane Pt on Matakana Island to local Māori.
As a result, Humphreys did not take part in the historic and unanimous vote last year to return the land.
"How can I change my view? I still believe it's [not right]," she said.
"It's not in my genes to just accept everything. I usually question most things. Why should I just accept it? Why should anyone?"
Christina Humphreys pictured swearing in as Western Bay of Plenty District councillor in November 2019. Photo / File
Humphreys, who previously held roles with the Western Bay ratepayers' association and Grey Power, said she felt she was frequently reprimanded for "not being PC".
"I say what I think. And I'm always saying 'this is what I hear from my ratepayers'. It's not always what [other councillors] say."
Humphreys believed she made a positive impact in getting rates down from what they could have been. She also worked hard to keep elder housing, she said.
"I feel as if I've helped. I think I have achieved something. I've certainly stimulated conversation."
Now, Humphreys was looking forward to celebrating her birthday this weekend and spending time at home.
"The last couple of days, I've actually felt relief that I didn't have to go and battle again."
However, she is adamant this would not be the last residents and the council would see of her.
"I think I'll be more focused helping them in Katikati, fighting council.
"I'll be political until the day I die."
Western Bay mayor Garry Webber thanked Humphreys for her service.
"I have a lot of sympathy with where Christina is coming from regarding local government," he said.
"A lot of what drives New Zealand is national policy statements. They then go down to a regional policy statement or district plan. That's just the matter of New Zealand only having five million people, you can't really have different rules in different jurisdictions.
"If you want to get involved, you really need to understand what you can do and what you can't do."
Western Bay of Plenty mayor Garry Webber says he has some sympathy for where outgoing councillor Christina Humphreys is coming from. Photo / File
Webber said many first-time candidates did not necessarily realise the legislation around this process, which could be "really hard to get into" and was why the council held pre-election workshops.
"Legislation doesn't actually allow you to make much change."
Webber said he felt Humphreys had made the right decision.
Electoral officer Dale Ofsoske confirmed the byelection process would start next week. Nomination papers will be available from Thursday, February 4.
To be eligible to stand for election, a candidate must be enrolled as a Parliamentary elector and a New Zealand citizen and nominated by two electors of the Katikati-Waihi Beach Ward area.
If more than one nomination is received by noon on Thursday March 4, a postal ballot will be held.
The byelection will finish at midday Friday, April 30, 2021.
The preliminary roll will be available for public inspection between Thursday February 4, and Thursday March 4 at the locations below.
By-election key dates: • Nominations open/roll opens Thursday, February 4 • Nominations close/roll closes midday Thursday, March 4 • Voting opens Thursday, April 8 • Voting closes midday Friday, April 30
Nomination papers will be available from: • Western Bay of Plenty District Council's main office, Barkes Corner, 1484 Cameron Rd, Greerton, Tauranga; • The Centre, Pātuki Manawa, 21 Main Rd Katikati; • Waihi Beach Library & Service Centre, Waihi Beach Rd, Waihi Beach; • www.westernbay.govt.nz; • 0800 922 822
