KAIMAI OMANAWA
RURAL RATEPAYERS ASSOCIATION INC.
A vibrant and diverse association supporting the residents and ratepayers of Omanawa and Lower Kaimai.
This video was recorded at a meeting held on the 18 September 2025 at the Kaimai School Hall where locals were able to hear from candidates for:
1. Bay of Plenty Regional Council
2. Western Bay of Plenty District Council Mayoralty
3. Western Bay of Plenty District Council Kaimai Ward
The meeting was hosted by the Kaimai Omanawa Rural Ratepayers Association Inc. (aka KORRA – www.korra.co.nz). The meeting was addressed by chair Nichola James on the importance of voting, and also encouraging locals to join KORRA.
For fairness, questions were selected randomly from a pre-prepared pool by a computer displaying a “Question Roulette Wheel”. The questions were read out by Question Meister Wayne Lowry, with timing for the responses managed by the computer.
Each candidate was asked 3 quickfire questions, with 30 seconds to respond. They then had 3 minutes to introduce themselves and present their case. The MC for the meeting was Gary Benner.
Each candidate received a gift for attendance of a pottle of top quality Manuka Honey produced in the Kaimais by Apiflora, and presented by Apiflora owner Lorraine Weenink. Computer Systems supplied by Semantic Ltd.
Index of Speakers
MC Welcome 00:12
Chair Opening Remarks 03:21
BOPRC Regional Candidates (2 Vacancies)
Neil Parker 06:17
John Scrimgeour 12:24
Ken Shirley 18:44
Cathi Barker (in absentia) 25:40
WBOPDC Mayoralty (1 Vacancy)
Suaree Borell 30:20
Grant Dally 36:34
James Denyer 42:42
John Holyoake 48:05
Rodney Joyce 53:44
Margaret Murray-Benge 1:00:36
Don Thwaites 1:00:20
WBOPDC Kaimai Ward (3 Vacancies)
Drew Cowley 1:13:21
Tracey Coxhead 1:18:50
Chris Dever 1:24:35
Graeme Elvin 1:30:30
Murray Grainger 1:37:00
Destiny Leaf 1:42:50
Margaret Murray-Benge 1:48:35
Don Thwaites 1:54:30
Chairman Concluding Remarks 2:01:00
District Council Election
The Council has provided an excellent resource with 90 second videos of each candidate.
Regional Council Election
The Regional Council has also provided an excellent resource with profiles of each candidate.
Policy.nz
This website covering all of New Zealand provides more background on each candidate.
CAMPAIGNS
ROAD SAFETY
SH29 remains a dangerous and under resourced highway, that does not serve the residents well.
The intersections at Old Kaimai Rd, Poripori Rd, McLarens Falls, as well as Belk Rd, are all danger spots.
Despite representations to NZTA for appropriate warning signs re turning traffic nothing has happened.
SECURITY
CCTV Cameras make a big difference to the security of our community. They provide a deterrent for would be thieves, as well as evidence after any incident.
Sadly the CCTV solar panels for the Poripori Rd cameras were stolen. More needs to be done.
POWER
Our rural power supply is notoriously unreliable, and the communication updates are woeful. We are advocating for:
- Greater Consistency and Continuity
- Quality of Power
- Better Pricing
COMMUNITY
Our rural community is very inter-dependent on each other. Support is important.
KORRA fosters engagement to solve the problems that we all encounter, and so we try to ensure that everyone’s needs are addressed.