Even with a promise to greatly reduce rates for businesses, Rotorua Mayor Kevin Winters was a distant second to Steve Chadwick - according to the city's business sector.
The Rotorua Chamber of Commerce held its traditional Meet the Mayoral Candidates breakfast yesterday with the city's five mayoral candidates - JanineRangiMarie Bosma, Mrs Chadwick, Helen Hindmarsh, Rob Kent and Mr Winters - given 10 minutes each to tell Rotorua's business leaders and employers why they should vote for them.
At the conclusion of their speeches a poll of 162 people was taken with Mrs Chadwick the runaway winner with 60 per cent of the vote.
Behind her were Kevin Winters with 22 per cent and Rob Kent, third with 17 per cent.
After a minor delay to proceedings due to Mrs Bosma arriving late, Mrs Chadwick got the forum under way by saying Rotorua's economy had stagnated and was flat-lining.
"Ballooning debt threatens our future and strangles growth ... we are paying $8.9 million in dead money for interest on debt repayments this year."
She said she had a four-point plan to reduce debt if elected mayor - to secure regional council funding for Rotorua's airport, re-kindle relationships with organisations both inside and outside of the district, review development contributions and "real community engagement".
Mrs Hindmarsh told the audience of her background in martial arts and in helping run a small engineering and manufacturing business with her husband.
"I am the yin to your yang ... I meet the need to satisfy your want."
She said the proposed Rotorua Eastern Arterial route should be removed from the books, Te Ngae Rd upgraded and a new emphasis put on rail freight to the Port of Tauranga.
"Leadership is all about inclusion and equality," she told breakfast guests.
