Central Ward By Election Results – Hutt City Council

Brief summary

Glenda Barratt wins with 606 votes, a previous sitting councillor.

Only 3282 votes cast, which represented 24.1% of the vote.

No doubt COVID DELTA lockdown had a impact on peoples interest in local by election, and the ability of prospective councillors to walk the talk.

Final results below:

Hutt City Central Ward councillor (1 vacancy) 

Family nameFirst name(s)AffiliationVotes received
BarrattGlendaIndependent606
CaswellPhil 33
ClaytonHenryIndependent567
FoxAndrewIndependent69
HiltonAndrea 592
LulichMichaelIndependent528
MonradSimon 161
MorganThomasIndependent75
RichterEvelyn 69
RoperAsh 99
ShahzhadFaranIndependent370
WilsonColinIndependent92
    
Informal  8
Blank Voting Papers  13

Glenda BARRATT is declared elected.

The voter return was 24.15%, being 3282 votes.

Henry Clayton (who ran third) candidate, is encouraging all voters to support single transferable vote (STV) at the referendum to be held with the full Hutt City Council elections in October 2022.

Twelve candidates for By Election in Central Ward in Lower Hutt 2021

Twelve candidates for Hutt City Council Central Ward By-Election – who are they?

The resignation of David Bassett has resulted in a by election for the Central Ward in Lower Hutt – with one year left to run before the next city wide election.

Voting will be by postal vote with voting papers starting to arrive in the mail to households in the Central Ward from 19 August

Voting will close at noon on 10 September.

The Central ward geographically covers:-

Lower Hutt Central Ward Geographical Boundaries

Candidates do not have to reside in the geographic area, or within Lower Hutt.

So who are the candidates – all have stated they are politically Independent and are:-

  • Glenda Barratt
  • Phil Caswell
  • Henry Clayton
  • Andrew Fox
  • Andrea Hilton
  • Michael Lulich
  • Simon Monrad
  • Thomas Morgan
  • Evelyn Richter
  • Ash Roper
  • Faran Shahzad
  • Colin Wilson

The Twelve Candidates for Hutt City Council Central ward vacancy at Public meeting in Library 11 August

To help in the search for further detail about the candidates, as we are all time poor, compiled below is their social media links and any other details found online around their political aspirations, not their personal (it is not complete and will be updated as more become available or are advised)-

In no particular order:

Thomas Morgan

https://www.facebook.com/Thomas-Morgan-Hutt-City-Central-Ward-2021-By-election-Candidate-101123198921482

https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK2108/S00228/covid-19-sir-david-is-right.htm

Faran Shahzad

https://www.facebook.com/FaranforCentralWard

Henry Clayton

https://www.facebook.com/henryforthehutt

Michael Lulich

https://www.facebook.com/MichaelLulichforCentralWardCouncillor

Glenda Barratt

https://www.facebook.com/Glenda-Barratt-for-Central-Ward-105274611842239

If you have any further political profiles for any the above candidates please let us know.

Candidates Flyers Gallery

Also listen to the candidates in their own words courtesy of the Hutt Zone

Twelve Nominations for Central Ward By-Election

Democracy at work – twelve people have put their name forward for the vacant ward seat.

Twelve, that is a huge number – are people upset at the direction the Hutt Council is taking?

Either way they all thought it was worth the $200 to put their name forward.

Voting will be by postal vote with voting papers starting to arrive in the mail to households in the Central Ward from 19 August 2021. Voting will close at noon on 10 September 2021.

The candidates are:

  • Glenda Barratt – Independent
  • Phil Caswell
  • Henry Clayton – Independent
  • Andrew Fox – Independent
  • Andrea Hilton
  • Michael Lulich – Independent
  • Simon Monrad
  • Thomas Morgan – Independent
  • Evelyn Richter
  • Ash Roper
  • Faran Shahzad – Independent
  • Colin Wilson – Independent

Lack of Confidence in Leadership of Hutt City Council – reason for Bassett resignation

Councillor David Bassett tendered his resignation in June 14 to the CEO of Hutt City Council Jo Miller.

At the time there was little knowledge as to the reason such an experienced councillor of 14 years had taken this course of action.

There is no doubt there is dysfunction at the council table, about how things are being managed, but to take the step of standing down and causing a By Election in the Central Ward is a last resort to express ones disappointment the direction the sitting council is taking.

The following post from Facebook is a group letter from Councillors sent to the Mayor requesting he stand down and provides some insight into this level of disagreement that is occurring at the Hutt City Council table – basically older councillors versus the new – Whatever way it is viewed the ratepayers deserve a functioning council that takes all points into consideration, without the need for a $50,000 (estimated) By Election in the Central Ward.

HUTTNZ WEEKLY VIDEO REVIEW 17 MARCH 2020

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My, what a difference a week makes. The social distancing now required due to COVID – 19 alert, means the week proceeding which had a host of large scale events in the Hutt Valley, will no longer occur as residents distance themselves from social interaction to avoid the virus.

The Weetbix Tryathlon was held at the Hutt Receation Ground on 11th March. The Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon helps kids stay active and healthy through a programme of participation. It’s about getting out there, giving it a TRY, achieving a personal best, improving confidence and self-esteem. Numbers were huge as footage of the bike area alone indicates level of participation. Unfortunately the swim leg was cancelled due to a power outage Hutt Valley wide on the morning, closing the pool.

COVID -19 caused panic buying across Supermarkets chains for toilet rolls and hand sanitisers, but calm prevailed later in the week.

Local MP Chris Bishop incurred wrath of residents as he put himself into self isolation following a weekend trip to Australia. One would question the prudence of this trip given the world wide travel and health alerts, as comments on his Facebook page illustrate.

Brewtown Upper Hutt held on Saturday 14th March the BBQ & Beer Festival 2020, which beside the best BBQ also held a heat of the NZ Chilli Eating Championships. Huge crowd in attendance.

Street artist Block Vandal has paid tribute to the Islamic community & Police by installing 2 further murals in memory of the Christchurch shooting one year ago.

Wainuiomata Pool had a dogs allowed day on Sunday 15th March opening it’s doors to the local K9s after closing for the season to the human swimmers. Set in a beautiful backdrop amongst rose gardens and surrounded by native bush the event was very popular with locals.

HUTTNZ WEEKLY VIDEO REVIEW 10 MARCH 2020

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The Great Petone Beach Dig was held on Saturday 7 March. Hosted by Petone Beach Clean Up Crew and supporting HuHaNZ (Helping you Help Animals NZ) Animal Welfare group. Participants paid $5 for a chance to win great family prizes.

The Great Petone Beach Big Dig

On the same day, held at Eastbourne Williams Park was the Eastbourne Local Wild Food Challenge 2020.

A fun community festival involving a Cooking Challenge, educational workshops, wild food demos, food stalls, live music and more..

There was the opportunity to enter a dish with at least one wild ingredient in an entry of your choice or to come along as a spectator & enjoy seeing & tasting wild dishes created by locals.

The event has been run since 2008, starting with the small contest in Eastbourne, and grown to 7 challenges in 5 countries across the world.

Wild Food Challenge Eastbourne Days Bay

HUTTNZ WEEKLY VIDEO REVIEW 25 FEBRUARY 2020

HuttNZ Weekly Video Review 25 February 2020
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The great Wellington Truck and Transport Show was held on Sunday 24 February at Trentham Memorial Park. Hosted by the Silverstream Lions, saw 175 Rigs pre register for the day. Gold coin donation for entry, and prizes for the top Rigs from throughout NZ. Earlier in the day a convey from Gracefield to Trentham Memorial Park was staged by a drive through the Hutt Valley enjoyed by many residents and children.

Empire Skate hosted its 2020 competition at Riddiford Gardens Park on Saturday 22 February. Great crowd in attendance each year gets stronger this being the third time the event has been held.

Bike the Hutt 10 days of biking events throughout the Hutt Valley, hosted 2 events, a cycle race in Upper Hutt, Tour de Hutt a 25km, 50km, and 100km option and each 25km lap will include a start at Brewtown. The roadrace goes through Silverstream, over to the Whitemans Valley and back over Wallaceville Hill. A more family orientated activity is Bike the Trail an opportunity to ride the beautiful Hutt River trail with great company, and really is a family activity. You follow the flow of the water to the mouth of the Hutt River at Seaview. In all there are in all 20 events, covering all form of bicycle activites and learning opportunties.

HuttNZ Weekly Video Review 18 February 2020

HuttNZ Weekly Video Review 18 February 2020
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Petone Rotary Fair was held on Jackson Street on Saturday 15 February from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Lots of stalls and entertainment for the family. As always a popular fair drawing people from around the region.

Local residents whose property has been purchased as part of the Melling Interchange development are upset that local MP Chris Bishop released a newsletter, while they remain unaware as to the next step from government agencies involved. Mr Bishop has undertaken to contact residents directly impacted.

Christopher Bishop Hi there. I’ve been keeping people informed through letters for two years, this was the 4th one that went out.

Absolutely no intention to be insensitive to anyone impacted by the project. My office has been helping people affected by the project for over four years now. Always ready and willing to assist and I’ll be sitting down with Chanelle soon

Facebook Comment on HuttNZ 14 Feb 2020

No doubt Chanelle will be awaiting to hear from her local MP

Tiny house builder loses court battle. In a ruling on Jnuary 31 by the Environment court the tiny house requires a building consent, as it could not be easily moved. However the HCC also “mucked up” by not giving the owner Jono Voss enough time to remove the tiny house

HuttNZ Weekly Video Review 11 February 2020

HuttNZ Weekly Video Review 11 February 2020
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British and European Car Rally 2020 was held at Trentham Memorial Park on Sunday 9 February. This is the largest gathering of these cars both modern and vintage in the North Island.

Hutt City Council is predicting a rate increase of 8% for residential properties. With some areas looking at 15% (Wainuiomata). This is after years of low increases from 2000-2018. The council is trying to reduce a $17.9 million budget deficit. 

By their nature, residential property rates are always a point of contention but an increase of this size has lite up local social media, with residents questioning how this has come to pass, and how unacceptable this is to many.

Wellington Water has asked residents to conserve water. One could suggest that given infrastructure projects are on the long term HCC agenda meeting today, than an approach to Wellington Water (Wellington Water is jointly owned by the Hutt, Porirua, Upper Hutt and Wellington city councils, South Wairarapa District Council and Greater Wellington Regional Council) about residential water capacity needs to be asked, given the so called growth of both Hutt cities.

Ever February we hit a water hump, yet in 20 weeks time it all will be pouring down our drains. We are missing something here.

Sunday February 9th night saw the most beautiful Super moon rise over the Hutt Valley.

And finally, as they say “Only in the #Hutt” this bloke found the best way to move his sofa was via shanks pony – on his back – to the err of many motorists in Eastbourne.

HuttNZ Weekly Video Review 4 February 2020

HuttNZ Weekly Video Review 4 February 2020

Melling Interchange development announced.

Te Rā o te Raukura 2020 held at Te Whiti Park. on Saturday 1 February. For 27 years this event has been held at this location. It is the premier cultural experience on the Wellington calendar and celebrates a strong community spirit.
It featured a whole array of arts and crafts, health and education exhibitions, live bands, cultural and dance groups, amusements rides as well as a huge range of food stalls. Full video coverage of the stage events can be found here

$30m sports science and training facility with the opening of Upper Hutt’s NZCIS development. Based out of the previous CIT Campus at Trentham and purchased by developers in 2015, has been extensively renovated. Wellington Rugby Football Union will be shifting to the hub in 2021. Wellington Phoenix said the club had a memorandum of understanding with the NZCIS and planned to base its operations out of the hub pending finances.

The hub provides an opportunity for different sporting brands to interact, it would not only cater for traditional sports but would have applications for the rapidly growing e-sports, or video game, industry. 

American Vehicle Day 2020 was held at Trentham Racecourse on Sunday 2 February.

Lower Hutt will need to spend an estimated $270 million over the next decade on its aging water infrastructure. Wellington Water’s report completed at the request of Mayor Campbell Barry following his election last year, showed 60 per cent of the city’s water infrastructure needed to be renewed in the next three decades – in which time the population is expected to grow by 20 per cent.

Melling Interchange Project and Debate

Melling Interchange Project and Debate

Well at last the funding for the Melling interchange has been approved as part of the Labour infrastructure spend up announced yesterday.

Roughly 108,000 people live in the Hutt Valley region, and with a steady increase in population, a more resilient transport system is vital for the region’s continued urban and economic growth, Melling interchange is an essential part of that.

The Melling Interchange is but one part of the RiverLink programme, which is a multi-organisation programme of three separate but interdependent projects relating to flood protection, urban development and transport improvements. Together this project will spend around $260 million. This is the biggest development project in the Hutt Valley, I believe. The flood protection that goes hand in hand with the Melling bridge intersection with this project is paramount, and we need protection from the river, as the Hutt Valley is one of the largest urban areas in a flood plain.

Of course everyone is claiming political mileage out of this spend, and given the size of the project it is no wonder, after all with nothing else on the horizon this is the number one issue, front and centre.

Chris Bishop National MP for Hutt South , while at the front in his eyes of this campaign to progress the Melling interchange, no doubt will have a somewhat hard pill to swallow, now that the green light has been given by Labour, and to be honest has little in the can, now this has occurred for his upcoming election campaign this year.

There is no debating the issue that this spend was under Labours watch, no matter how Mr Bishop views it. Pledges by previous governments carry no weight, as they simply are promises if elected.

Both the people protests and no doubt the work behind the scene by all concerned has ensured that the NZTA changed its view.

This is great for the Hutt Valley, but it is a long way to completion in 2026.

HuttNZ Weekly Video Review 28 January 2020

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Weekly video review of Upper & Lower Hutt activities and events via HuttNZ for January 28 2020.

This week:

Six60 Concert

Six60 played to a crowd of 20,000 at the start of their summer tour at the Hutt Rec Lower Hutt on Saturday January 25th. Great event, warm evening and a chill crowd.

Public transport to and from the venue needs to be sorted the only downside with some paying Uber fares of $70 to Maungareki (surge pricing).

Unfortunately not every local was impressed with having an event at Hutt Rec that went to 11pm

or the rubbish and rowdy concert goers following the event

https://twitter.com/Coleadve/status/1221677629348048896

HardPark 2020

HardPark 2020 was over Wellington Anniversary weekend at the Riverbank carpark. Largest park up of cars in New Zealand.

Imperial Tobacco to close

Tobacco plant plans to close Petone factory. Imperial Tobacco has announced plans to close its factory in Lower Hutt , which would axe 122 jobs. One of the largest employers in the valley, and has been here since the 1930s. Surprising that the local MP Chris Bishop (Hutt South) has had nil to say about this, given the loss of jobs. But given his past career, it is something that no doubt would make him uncomfortable to speak about, in case it refreshes voters memories come the election this year. He does find time to comment on other potential hot stuff (really!) but not everyone has forgotten his previous occupation.

Campbell Barry the Mayor showed a far greater understanding of the situation

Homicide Enquiry Taita

Police continue to conduct a scene examination and homicide enquiry following a 56 year old man’s death in Taita, Lower Hutt on Sunday morning January 26.

Emergency services were called to the scene near the intersection of Futter Grove and Hughes Crescent just after 5.30am. The man died a short time later and a cordon was set up.

HuttNZ Weekly Video Review 21 January 2020

Weekly video review of Hutt Valley activities and events via HuttNZ for January 21 2020.

This week: Wellington Racing Club – Cup Day 2020 – Upper Hutt

Paetutu Taranaki Whānui’s latest housing development is ready for handover to the Iwi – 56 Houses in Jackson Street Petone

Stone Carving Display – Brewtown Upper Hutt

Waterloo Pumping Station Jan 14 1980

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HuttNZ Weekly Video Review 14 January 2020

Weekly video review of Hutt Valley activities and events via HuttNZ for January 14 2020.

Welcome back and Happy New Year, to you all, and all the best for this year.

Very quiet as we all know everyone is still on Summertime break, enjoy the sun and the BBQs, when the weather is warm enough 🙂

This week:

Trentham Rail underpass completed

Hutt Valley Health Hub opens

Days Bay wharf renovation hit by vandalism

Wellington Golf Club 1907

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HuttNZ Weekly Video Review 17 December 2019

NZ$5.00 Contribution

Weekly video review of Hutt Valley activities and events via HuttNZ for December 17 2019

No video next 2 weeks – Its Christmas and New Year, but will bring you anything important if it breaks and also look out for the show on Dec 31 as we look back at the highlights since we started this year!!

Help us step up our production by donating at https://ko-fi.com/huttnz

This week

NaeNae Christmas in the Court

Christmas Lights

Remutaka Swing Bridge 90metre long

Deadpool joins the Blockheads on Wall

H20 Extreme closed in Upper Hutt following glass incident

Gull Petone soon to open

Tuesday Throwback – Quinns Post corner Upper Hutt – see how its changed

HuttNZ Weekly Video Review 12 November 2019

HuttNZ Weekly Video Review 12 November 2019
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