Council extends its sincere thanks to outgoing elected members, Councillor Peter Collins and Councillor Colin Pankhurst for their valuable contribution to Council and the community.
Both councillors cited being able to bring ratepayers’ views to the Council table and advocating for their concerns as their favourite part of the role.
“I’m a people person,” says Councillor Colin Pankhurst. “So, the opportunity to interact with the community and elected members in the Council Chambers has been the highlight of my time on Council.”
“I’ve enjoyed working with the community and being part of economic development,” says Peter Collins. “One of the things I’m most pleased with is the new library which will make a positive long-term difference for the community, particularly our upcoming generations and our older citizens.”
Colin Pankhurst has served as a councillor for the Hakataramea-Waihaorunga Ward for two terms, elected unopposed in 2019 and 2022.
In the last term, he served as a member of the Waikakahi and Waihaorunga Water Supply Committees, the Waimate Community ANZAC Group and the Chief Executive’s Performance Review Committee.
In his announcement that he would not seek re-election Councillor Pankhurst cited concerns about democratic representation and central government influence.
Peter Collins has served as a councillor for the Waimate Ward for nine years. He was first elected in 2013 and again in 2016 and 2022. He’s ready to move on and allow fresh voices around the table, he says.
In the last term, he served as a member of the Waimate District Civic Awards Committee and the Waimate District Council Appeal Panel. He also represented Council on the following groups/organisations: Centrecare Counselling Waimate, Waimate Trackways Group, and Waitaki Lakes Shorelines Authority.
Mayor Craig Rowley says, “I would like to thank Peter and Colin for the contribution they have made to our community and the professional manner in which they embraced their roles as elected members.”
The new Council will be sworn in at 1pm on 28 October 2025 at a public ceremony at the Waimate Event Centre.
