There will be a clean sweep of new mayors for Northland and Auckland this year, after Kaipara mayor Dr Jason Smith made a sudden decision to not seek re-election.

Smith announced his shock decision late on Thursday, deciding instead to seek candidacy for the National Party in Northland – a spot now vacant with former MP Matt King forming DemocracyNZ.

The decision will result in wholesale leadership change for the top of the country, with Far North mayor John Carter, Whangārei mayor Sheryl Mai and Auckland mayor Phil Goff all previously announcing they would effectively retire at the elections.

Crucially, this means all councils represented on the soon-to-be-formed Three Waters’ Entity A – covering the drinking water, stormwater and wastewater of 1.7 million people in Northland and Auckland – will have someone new at the helm.

READ MORE:
* How much power does Auckland’s mayor actually have?
* Northland local government faces seismic leadership change
* Three waters: Whangārei District Council breaks rank, leads Northland counterproposal

So what do would-be mayors need to get up to speed on to best represent their district?

The murky waters of Three Waters

Kaipara’s Jason Smith is clear the Government’s Three Waters reform is the reason he is leaving local government in search of a central government position, despite only joining the National Party last week.

The unpopular reforms aim to make improvements and efficiencies across drinking water, stormwater and wastewater, saving ratepayers’ money and preventing environmental disasters.

Check out this idiot’s guide to the reforms for more details.

But potential mayors need to realise they cannot opt out of the scheme – Whangārei and Far North District Councils were some of the first to try – as the Labour Government has made it compulsory.

Smith said with the first of several bills covering the reform being introduced to Parliament on Thursday, he is most concerned the new entities will be undemocratic.

Other reforms under way

While Three Waters is undoubtedly the most controversial of central government reforms, it is by no means the only one.

The Resource Management Act – one of the key laws guiding council rules on its land – is being overhauled with three new acts.

These aim to better protect the environment while still allowing development, plus taking into account the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and adapting to climate change.

The National and Built Environments Act is set to be introduced this year, followed by the Strategic Planning Act, and the Climate Change Adaptation Act.

Mayors may also need to champion vulnerable communities’ health needs, with district health boards (DHBs) now being replaced with a centralised health body.

Know your area

Smith said his key advice for anyone considering running for mayor is to know each part of the district.

“Kaipara district has many diverse and distinct communities, and the mayor needs to be a champion for each and every one.”

Kaipara, with just 23,000 residents, is one of the smaller districts in the country, and much less centralised than its neighbour Whangārei, with has 91,000 people.

Far North, with 65,000 people, is also spread across key townships, including Kerikeri, Kaikohe and Kaitāia.

Auckland Council, by contrast, has more than 1.66 million people, with 21 different local boards from Rodney in the north to Franklin in the south.

A mayor will need to know all the areas and people they are representing.

Leadership and collaboration key

While knowledge and experience is important, the ability to lead fellow councillors and collaborate is key to being mayor.

An assessment of the power of Auckland’s mayor found election promises will only be able to go through with support of a majority of the city’s 20 council members, while some will also need central government approval.

Northland Regional Council chair Penny Smart – the only member of the Northland Mayoral Forum who is seeking re-election – said a councillor or community member will likely make a good mayor.

Nominations for all four mayoral positions – as well as council and local board members – open on July 15 and close at midday on August 12.