Latest news with #LesleySoper
Otago Daily Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Veteran councillors rule out returning
Invercargill will lose the services of two long-serving councillors following the October election. Peter Kett and Lesley Soper have ruled out returning to the table after serving seven terms and three terms respectively. Their decisions come at a time when the majority of councillors are putting their hands up for another stint. Cr Kett made up his mind three years ago that this would be his last term and said that would not change. "I'd always go out in person and talk to the people that called me, so I'll miss all that. "I'll miss most of the councillors." Last year was a difficult year for him as he faced both the death of his wife and numerous health difficulties. Multiple knee operations late last year and two heart attacks under anesthetic forced him to step aside from council duties while he recovered. Despite the setbacks, he was now feeling "bloody good" and was sad to be leaving. Also finishing up is Cr Soper, whose nine years at the council ends a long political career. She spent time on the district health board and had two stints in Parliament as a Labour MP in 2005 and from 2007-08. She made the decision to leave "some time ago", she said. "Very early in my career I discovered you can help individuals, but if you want to make really lasting changes for large groups of the population, then get involved where the power actually is." Her highlights on the council included fighting to keep the children's library in its current location, the council's credit rating and supporting the appointment of mana whenua representatives. Mayor Nobby Clark's recent use of his casting vote to not update the council's procurement policy in support of Palestine was "a definite low point". Invercargill will be in for a new mayor with Mr Clark repeatedly ruling out the possibility of a second term. The mayoral race includes deputy mayor Tom Campbell and councillors Alex Crackett, Ria Bond and Ian Pottinger. Mr Campbell is all-in with his bid having ruled out running for council, while Cr Crackett is also leaning in that direction while keeping her options open. She recently quit her job to focus on her campaign. TikTok enthusiast Tom Morton is also throwing his hat in the ring for mayor while town crier Lynley McKerrow changed her mind and will now just run for council. Other councillors standing again include Grant Dermody, Trish Boyle, Steve Broad, Barry Stewart and Darren Ludlow. Cr Allan Arnold could not be reached for comment. Nominations officially opened on Friday and candidates have until August 1 to put their name forward. Voting documents will be sent out in September ahead of election day on October 11. • LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
RNZ News
24-06-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Invercargill Council votes against cutting ties with companies that operate in illegal Israeli settlements
Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon Invercargill City Council has voted against cutting ties with companies that operate in illegal Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land. On Tuesday afternoon, councillors debated whether to change to the council's procurement policy, following a proposal brought by local residents and members of Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa. Similar spending bans have already been adopted by Nelson City Council, Christchurch City Council and Environment Canterbury, targeting companies listed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Invercargill City Council was split down the middle - with six councillors in favour and six against - but Mayor Nobby Clark's casting vote ended the debate. He said the council needed to balance its ethical commitment to the United Nations with its responsibility to be frugal in procurement decisions. Councillor Allan Arnold was also opposed, arguing that such a move wasn't in the council's remit. "We're the Invercargill City Council. Our job is to look after the water assets, infrastructure of Invercargill, and look after the people. This is far, far beyond our scope," he said. "We're here to look after our community in Invercargill. I can't understand why this is something we're looking at, at all." However, earlier, councillor Lesley Soper said taking a stand on ethical issues was an important part of being part of the world community. "We're not some isolated island, or some isolated council. Other councils have already taken the decision to make this inclusion on very valid grounds," she said. She noted the United Nations database would have made it easy to identify which companies to exclude. Councillor Darren Ludlow also wanted to see the council taking action. "As pointless as it may seem, there is a point. And that's leadership," he said. Earlier this week, the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa said it would also present a proposal to Environment Southland, calling for a boycott of companies operating in illegal Israeli settlements.
RNZ News
28-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Nobby Clark delays policy over diversity concern
Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark says he would leave the policy's adoption on the table while he met with council staff to discuss implications. Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark has drawn the ire of some councillors after stalling the council's new procurement policy over concerns with a diversity question. The issue relates to the Invercargill City Council now asking businesses whether they record diversity data as part of the tender process, noting they would not be excluded if they didn't. On Tuesday, Clark chaired a meeting where the updated procurement policy was set for approval following a recommendation from the finance and policy committee on 20 May. But the mayor - who was absent from that committee meeting - said he received feedback from "a number of councillors" uncomfortable with the policy dealing with diversity data. Clark said he would leave its adoption on the table while he met with council staff to discuss implications. Mana whenua representative Evelyn Cook said collecting the data was a small matter that didn't cost anything. "If a contractor feels disadvantaged by the fact that we asked the question, they need to be looking in the mirror, because I don't think this is an unusual request in 2025. It was in 1965. I would be sad if we chose to return there," Cook said. Councillor Lesley Soper, who chaired the finance and policy committee where the recommendation was approved, took strong exception to Clark using his power as council chair to delay adoption. Soper said she was unaware councillors had gone behind her back to raise issues and believed Clark was trying to usurp the democratic process. The move set a dangerous precedent for council because it showed outcomes at committee level could be changed down the line, she said. "I strongly protest this abuse of council's process." Councillor Alex Crackett also took issue with the mayor, saying the process was not being run correctly and was a "perversion of democracy". Despite pressure from some, Clark backed his decision to defer the policy's adoption. Other questions asked under the council's revised policy include whether the business is local and whether it monitors carbon impact. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
