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.
