Woman eyes job as next mayor

Waitaki voters will have at least three mayoral candidates to choose from in the local body elections in October with a third candidate confirming her candidacy for the mayoral ticket.

Oamaru woman Helen Algar had considered standing last time but said she didn't feel she was the right person at the time.

"This time, I am ready and believe I have an appropriate skill set to make a difference.

"The community has been good to me and it is time to give something back."

The race for Waitaki's mayor is heating up with former deputy mayor Gary Kircher announcing on Wednesday he will stand and current Mayor Alex Familton confirming his intentions earlier this month.

Mrs Algar said she considered herself a strategic thinker who has done the hard yards.

"I have a holistic approach and a very clear view on how the role of council could be more strategic rather than reactive.

"This will be a principal thrust of my campaign.

"We must act strategically and recognise the need to retain families (in the Waitaki) with solid employment and lifestyle opportunities because these are the people who support our community and our schools, where rolls are falling."

The employment opportunities for young people and the needs of Waitaki's ageing population are two further areas of her focus.

"I have a strong personal vision and drive with very high levels of energy and motivation," she said.

"I have the ability to bring people on board to contribute to and promote sustainable outcomes."

Mrs Algar was born in Christchurch and has lived most her life in Waitaki.

"My mother's family are multigenerational Waitakians,"she said.

"I am very proud to live and work in the Waitaki and I am very pleased to announce my intention to seek election for the mayoralty in the upcoming local body elections."

Mrs Algar holds a graduate diploma in strategic management and a bachelor of social services.

Her current governance roles include being a member of the executive of the Waitaki Multi Council; a member of Waitaki Road Safe Incorporated; and, trustee of the Waitaki Community Gardens Trust.

She was awarded the Queen's Service Medal for Services to the Community and Disability in 2008 and also received the South Canterbury Women's Refuge Contribution to Education Award (2008); and the NZCCS (formerly the New Zealand Crippled Children's Society) Extra Mile Award (2005).