CANDIDATE: Council needs to improve

Amanda Rutherford is standing for the Awaroa-Maramarua ward on the Waikato District Council.

This ward covers the rural areas of Otaua, Aka Aka, Pukekawa, Mangatāwhiri, and Maramarua. Check out the full ward map on the Waikato District Council website.

Our district has been underrepresented in council, and there is a real need to improve communication, accountability, and essential services. Too many residents are telling me the same story: rates keep rising, yet roads remain unsafe, water systems are under strain, internet connectivity is patchy, and public transport is limited. Having lived with my family in rural Pōkeno for nearly 20 years, I know this frustration firsthand.

What I can bring to the council is a wide range of professional and community experience that equips me to think critically, solve problems, and make balanced decisions. My 18 years as a director in a large banking institution gave me strong financial and governance skills, ensuring I can scrutinise budgets and spending with care. Managing my own farm and kennels for 20 years has grounded me in the realities of rural life, where practical solutions and resilience matter most.

For the past decade, I have also been a lecturer and researcher at Auckland University of Technology, specialising in communication, analysis, and engagement.

Alongside this, I have led community initiatives abroad, including running a voluntary feeding scheme that provided 75,000 meals each week and supporting an orphanage to improve living standards.

I believe North Waikato makes an enormous contribution to New Zealand’s economy. Our farms, dairy, and forests provide the food and timber that keep this country moving, yet our communities are too often underfunded. This must change.

My top priority is to get the basics right: safe roads, reliable water, and stronger connectivity — both digital and public services. Rates must go to essentials first, not “nice-to-have” extras.

I will push for fairer funding of infrastructure by requiring developers to pay their share and partnering with central government on rural services. I will also advocate for reducing consultancy costs, cutting duplication, and making better use of council assets.
Families and farmers cannot keep carrying the load.

As your councillor, I will ensure money is spent wisely, essentials are prioritised, and genuine accountability is delivered to the communities of Awaroa-Maramarua.