After three terms on the Dunedin City Council, Fliss Butcher is offering her local government experience to voters in the Waitaki district, where she and husband Ian have had a home for 15 years.
Mrs Butcher is standing for mayor and as a councillor for the Corriedale ward where their property is located.
She is one of two women candidates seeking to be the first female mayor in both Oamaru and Waitaki.
Her decision to stand was based on a firm commitment to the Waitaki people and region.
''I have some exciting new policies that I believe will put us on the map and make Waitaki one of the places in the world to live in and visit,'' she said.
Mrs Butcher said she did not have ''a silver bullet or the one big show-stopper'' for the Waitaki district.
''And I'm not hanging around waiting for it. Those days are over.''
Today, it was about consolidating and making the most of what the district had. It already had a lot but needed to look after itself and create its own opportunities.
Why are you standing for mayor?
I'm keen to drive my vision and enact ''Happy Waitaki'' which is a strong local economy of happy, healthy people.
Part of this will be to attract new business from the emerging health and wellness industry to the district and strengthen and support existing business.
I also intend to set up a rates/funding brainstorming group with community input to look for other avenues of funding to help carry out my vision.
Will you be a full-time mayor and why?
Yes, of course.
I'm looking forward to starting the new job on October 12 and getting up to speed with the organisation, meeting the good people who work at council and engaging with the newly-elected council.
The first formal thing I intend to do is hold an ''active listening'' session with the new council so it can learn this skill to make them better governors and therefore better representatives.
What position do you think the district is in?
It's doing well but can be much stronger economically, environmentally and socially.
We have a small ratepaying base and need to look for other avenues of funding to help us stay strong.
We need to partner with private investors and not just ask for central government handouts.
But private investment won't come here unless it's genuinely welcomed and not treated like outsiders.
What are three issues facing the incoming council and why?
I understand the current chief executive officer is retiring in a few years so it will be priority to find the right person to replace him.
I'll be looking for a new CEO who will take on the commitment to roll out an attitude of ''Red Carpet not Red Tape'' to strengthen and support existing business and welcome new business.
I'll be looking for someone with strong organisational relationship skills, financial literacy and the ability to think critically to help drive my vision.
Collaborating with our neighbours across the region to ensure we get our fair share of central government funding especially for health, education and roading and economic development opportunities.
Encouraging our young people to stay, or return to the district, through more positive initiatives like the Otago Youth Market.
What would be one thing you would like to have achieved by the end of your term, and why?
That the Waitaki community become `Yaysayers'.
That the community feels engaged in public issues and they own the Waitaki council and are included, consulted and happy about its direction and the future of the district.
That's my vision for Happy Waitaki.
Fliss Butcher
Age: 55.
Occupation: Practice manager and Dunedin city councillor.
Marital status: Married to Ian, five children between us.
Council experience: Nine years city councillor, many years before that as a submitter and activist.
Describe yourself in three words: Inclusive, tenacious, yaysayer!
