Sounding out the Sounds’ candidates

Ahead of the Local Elections this October, the Marlborough Weekly has asked each of the Marlborough Sounds Ward candidates a series of pertinent questions.

Question 1. Rates have been 7.97% in 2023-24, 13.62% in 2024-25 and 8.61% in 2025-26 – what would be your goal and focus for rates?

Malcolm Taylor: My goal is to minimize rate increases, ensuring they do not exceed the previous year’s rate of inflation and population growth. I will also focus on ensuring the Council maximizes value for ratepayers’ money.

Greg Billington: Like any other ratepayer, I would like to see rates lower. But I don’t accept that rates caps are useful. In the end, there is only one viable approach, which is to be constantly mindful of the burden on ratepayers while ensuring that core infrastructure is properly maintained.

That does not mean that support for environmental and cultural wellbeing, or voluntary initiatives for the same purpose, are neglected.

Barbara Faulls: I am a ratepayer just like everybody else so obviously it is in my best interest to try to keep rates as low as possible.

Unfortunately, rates can be impacted by many things such as the weather events which have caused huge damage in our region and specifically to the Sounds roads.

Council tries to use financial reserves wisely, the dividend from the Port helps to lower the rate increase too, but at the end of the day, if residents want a consistent level of service, community facilities, etc., the balance of the money has to come from rates.

What I don’t want to see, is our region going backwards.

Scott Fuller: My focus is that we all pay our fair share, and no more. Therefore we should all receive our fair share of value.

Raylene Innes: My goal on Council is to work hard to keep rate increases as minimal as possible, while continuing to deliver the services our communities rely on.

It’s about ensuring best value for every ratepayer. That said, managing rates isn’t always straightforward. Council doesn’t control all the levers — inflation, unfunded Government requirements, and legislative changes all sit with central government, yet they directly impact what councils must fund.

I’m not sure everyone who supports rates capping fully understands how blunt a tool it can be. It risks cutting into the very services that matter most — and the first to go would likely be marginal services, community support, and environmental grants.

Are we really prepared to stop investing in these areas? Take environmental grants for pest control, for example — the pests don’t stop just because the funding does.

Without continued support, we risk losing ground in spaces we’ve fought hard to protect, and that would be a real shame. Rates need to be fair, but they also need to reflect the value we place on our communities. That’s the balance I’ll keep working for.

Anteisha O’Connell: My focus is keeping rates affordable while making smart, long-term investments, which aligns with the district’s long-term planning. Every dollar needs to deliver real equitable value for our communities.

Question 2. What are some key achievements you hope to be measured by for those who vote for you?

Malcolm Taylor: I aim to bring more openness and transparency to Council meetings by opening up the decision-making process and giving ratepayers a greater say on the services they pay for. I will also focus on improving essential infrastructure, such as the Spring Creek Stop Bank and Havelock’s water supply.

Greg Billington: That my Ward and most particularly my town of Waitohi Picton puts in place a plan that citizens can be proud of; that articulates a clear and realistic direction with milestones that enable a measurable increase in prosperity. The axiom is well-known and true – If you fail to plan you are planning to fail.

Barbara Faulls: I don’t keep a list of all the things that I have done over the last six years. What I would hope is that residents and ratepayers feel that I have represented them in a balanced, empathetic and fair way. The Marlborough Sounds Ward is huge and we have had significant challenges over the last few years. I have tried to be as accessible to as many people as possible and have encouraged open engagement and consultation in all areas, especially the more remote ones that do not get to see Councillors or Council staff so often.

Scott Fuller: I expect to be measured by the focus that I will bring to Picton, all parts of the ward, and to tourism. Two areas that have been deliberately excluded from current plans.

Raylene Innes: Here are the key areas I hope voters will judge me on in no particular order:

Supporting restoration work, such as managing ungulates, and backing community-led environmental efforts that enhance and safeguard our ecosystems to protect what matters with support from external funders.

Working hard to keep rate increases as low as possible, while maintaining strong services and making smart, value-driven decisions for all of Marlborough.

Supporting tourism growth in our region, encouraging visitors to stay longer, do more, and spend more.

Making governance accessible by Communicating clearly and practically, with no jargon, ensuring people are informed and feel heard.

These are the outcomes I’ve worked toward, and the ones I’ll continue to stand by.

Anteisha O’Connell: That our Sounds communities right across the region feel heard with increased engagement opportunities, that our environment is better protected by leading intergenerational decision making, and that I’ve contributed to delivering smart, practical improvements to local infrastructure and services.

Question 3. Are you for or against the Marlborough Māori Ward?

Malcolm Taylor: I am opposed to all and any race-based appointments, including Māori wards.

Greg Billington: As long as it is required by Māori – and that’s their call, absolutely. It is respectful of the Treaty; facilitates better communication; and does not, as some have suggested mean any diminution of democracy. One person one vote does not change.

Barbara Faulls: The referendum is required by Central Government so it will not matter one jot what I think....it will be the people of Marlborough who decide the outcome and whatever that Is, I will work with it.

I have however recognised the value of working collaboratively with Iwi through initiatives such as the Te Hoiere Catchment restoration project. We are lucky in Marlborough in that we have a very positive relationship with Iwi.

Scott Fuller: I am for the Māori Ward.

Raylene Innes: This is a binding referendum that is required by Central Government —and that means the decision belongs to the people of Marlborough and the Council will be bound to act on what Marlborough decides, and I fully respect that.

My role isn’t to tell people what to think—it’s to represent all of Marlborough, and that starts with listening to all of Marlborough. Whatever the outcome, I’ll work with it—because that’s democracy in action.

Anteisha O’Connell: I am supportive. Māori Wards strengthen representation, uphold our Treaty obligations, and bring balance back to the decision-making table.

Question 4. What do you advocate for that will allow the Sounds Ward to thrive this electoral cycle?

Malcolm Taylor: I advocate for making it easier for tourist ventures to attract more visitors to the Sounds, establishing it as a destination rather than just a stop while waiting for a ferry.

Greg Billington: Much of my professional life has been focused on creating brands and building brand value in business. Having done so and continuing (when I’m not pretending to be retired) to do so here, in Australia and in North America, I have no doubt that we can create much stronger ‘brand value’ in the Ward and across Marlborough that can help to boost economic prosperity. I am promoting the idea of a new brand, ‘The Art and Wine Trail of Aotearoa.’

Barbara Faulls: I would like to see the coming together of an integrated Marlborough Sounds Management Plan where multiple agencies such as MDC, Port Marlborough, DOC, Iwi, all Sounds communities, recreational fishers, commercial fishers, etc. join together (most likely under the umbrella of the Kotahitanga mo te Taiao alliance) to form a management plan which will protect and enhance the Sounds for the future.

Growth and the economy must be balanced with a healthy environment. We need to continue with the resilient roading plan and ensure that all of our communities have surety of access at all times.

Scott Fuller: I advocate for those that live on the fringe of our community be recognised and receive fair access to services. That is those that are distantly located, have physical or mental disabilities or are socially or economically unprepared.

Raylene Innes: We need to support the growth of local businesses and industries that create jobs and drive innovation.

Tourism is a key part of our economy, and there’s real potential to grow this sector, especially by creating a stronger destination focus for Picton. If we can encourage longer stays from ferry traffic and position Picton as more than just a gateway, it will help provide benefits for our communities across the region Reliable roads are essential for Sounds communities to thrive.

Farmers, holidaymakers, and locals all depend on safe, well-maintained access. I’m keen to see service levels lifted so we protect the investment already made through roading recovery — and ensure our infrastructure keeps pace with community needs.

Anteisha O’Connell: Responsible water, marine and land use, better roading and transport connections, restoration outcomes and community wellbeing. This means I will be prioritising: resilient infrastructure; fair access to services and the protection of our natural environment.

The Marlborough Sounds Ward will have three councillors elected to the Marlborough District Council. Voting is open now, and closes at noon October 11.