Old hands return to political arena

Prospects for an interesting and hard-fought election have increased as old foes join the list of first-time candidates for seats around Waikato council tables.

Today is the last day for nominations.

Ewan Wilson has confirmed a tilt at Hamilton's mayoralty. He joins one-term incumbent Julie Hardaker and council veteran Dave Macpherson in the race for the mayoral chains, along with motorcycling churchman Ian Hanley and Republican Jack Gielen.

Hamilton West Ward sees retired traffic chief Leo Tooman make a bid with Ewan Wilson, Dave Macpherson and sitting councillors Angela O'Leary and Martin Gallagher in a field of 10.

At the time of going to press, the East Ward was the popular option with 18 nominations, including the sitting Gordon Chesterman, Roger Hennebry and Margaret Forsyth bidding against the likes of Matiu Dickson, Anjun Rahman, James Parlane, Philip Yeung and men's shelter champion Peter Humphreys.

The Waikato Regional Council election is shaping as a slug fest with The Rates Control coming up against another team for the first time.

Sitting councillor and deputy chair Simon Friar leads the eight-man One Waikato team which includes council chair Peter Buckley, councillor Norm Barker and former Olympic chef de mission Dave Currie.

One Waikato draws on initiatives from the Waikato Mayoral Forum and foresees major savings through council partnerships, sharing resources and greater gains in environmental improvements.

Rates Control continues on a path of prudent governance and limiting rating increases to the rate of inflation.

Spice has been stirred into the mix with the addition of former Hamilton mayor Bob Simcock, retiring Waipa mayor Alan Livingston and Matamata-Piako's former mayor Hugh Vercoe.

Hugh Vercoe will contest one of the two Waihou seats, Bob Simcock one of the four Hamilton seats.

For the first time, two Maori constituency seats will be decided. Tipa Mahuta and Maree Pene have nominated for the Nga Hau e Wha Maori Contsituency and Timoti Bramley for the Nga Tai ki Uta Maori Constituency.

A full list of nominations for Hamilton City and Waikato Regional councils will be published next week.