He's back again.
Tracy Hicks has been at the head of the Gore District Council for four terms since 2004.
Mr Hicks says he has the experience necessary to spur economic growth in an area, and community, he knows very well.
He says his service to the district is a means of giving something back to an area that has given him many opportunities.
It is also about opening doors he would not have been able to if he was not mayor.
Why are you standing for mayor?
I think I have something to offer in terms of skill and experience.
I’m really looking forward to leading a team focused on enhancing positives in our district and delivering value for money to all the people in the district.
I’ve lived all my life committed to the district and want to give something back.
Will you be a full-time mayor and why?
I have been for the last 12 years and I certainly intend to be in the future.
In my view, anybody that tries to do it and not be full-time is selling themselves and the community short because it is not just a council leader’s role.
It’s actually a whole-of-community role and the opportunities are endless.
The mayor has the ability to open doors that nobody else can.
What position do you think the district is in?
In terms of rural New Zealand, Gore district sits very very well.I think we’ve got an incredibly good lifestyle offer here.
A lot of the council focus over the next three years, if I’m leading it, will be around looking at employment opportunities.
Economic development will be a huge focus to complement the lifestyle opportunities that we have.I think Gore is in a very good spot.
The facilities and the opportunities here are second to none that I’ve seen when I compare it to other rural communities.
Our brand is "rural city living and we try to continue to build on that.
What are three issues facing the incoming council, and why?
Water, both waste water and drinking water.
So making sure our drinking water standards are continuing to increase in standard so our drinking water standards are met and excelled.
Securing supply of water into the future is going to be a challenge.
Making sure we’ve got our waste water up to scratch.
That’s probably our biggest challenge.
The next challenge is leading economic development.
Also, making sure social cohesion is continuing.
The last four years we’ve been fortunate enough to have a social sector trial operating in Gore.
We’ve been looking at different and alternative ways to deliver social services to 12-18-year-olds.
That trial has been very successful but ends in December.
I’m very keen to lead a community initiative which would encompass all of the community agencies as well as government agencies.
What would be one thing you would like to have achieved by the end of your term, and why?
Probably for me would be seeing economic development flourish.
The demographics that rural New Zealand is facing means that we need younger people and younger families coming and settling in our communities.
It takes economic development to drive that.
Tracy Hicks
Age: 64.
Occupation: Gore Mayor, retailer by trade.
Marital Status: Married.
Council experience: First elected position was 1980. Involved in various community trusts since then. Councillor in 1998-2004. Gore District Mayor since 2004.
Describe yourself in three words: Experienced. Energetic. Positive.
