Pam Colenso

I have been part of the Martinborough community for over 40 years and have been an active member in our community. I am secretary of the Martinborough RSA, past Chair of the Martinborough Community Patrol, Treasurer for First Church, Treasurer for the Martinborough & Districts Ambulance Trust and a member of the Lake Ferry Ratepayers Assn.

I am a current Councillor just having completed my first three-year term, prior to this I was elected to the Martinborough Community Board and completed 15 years.  The experience gained in both roles stand me in good stead to be your representative on Council.  I am committed to ensuring that there is good governance and transparency in all decision making.  If re-elected to Council I would be an advocate for both rural, coastal and urban residents, taking your views to Council and providing a strong voice in any discussions or decision making.

It is of upmost importance that the residents of Martinborough have a safe and secure drinking water supply and I have advocated strongly for this.

I am motivated and have the time and energy to work for the people of Martinborough Ward and the South Wairarapa to ensure that we continue to have a thriving community.  In addition to being an excellent tourism destination this district is the food basket of Wellington with its extensive meat and dairy farms, horticulture industry and world class vineyards, that is why this region needs vastly improved freight and passenger networks which form part of my vision for the Wairarapa.

I am a strong advocate of the need for Martinborough to grow and to do this we need to free up land for both business and residential purposes. It is really important that we get behind the district wide spatial plan to ensure that our town grows in the way we want it to.  We also need to support and encourage the Dark Sky Society in their aim to achieve a Dark Sky reserve in the South Wairarapa as this will encourage new business and tourism opportunities.

I believe it is important to strive for improvement, maintain our assets and support economic and community initiatives.

The council must always clearly explain its intention, consult and listen to the community. I want to be part of a council that does