By Emily Norman
Fifth generation Martinborough woman Pip Maynard will be continuing her council career with South Wairarapa District Council – one she started when she was 15 years-old.
Miss Maynard was the town crier with her twin sister, Mel, at the age of 15, a few years after the amalgamation of the three South Wairarapa towns in 1989.
“Instead of getting a normal job like in a dairy we decided to get a job with the council,” Miss Maynard said.
“We joined the New Zealand Guild of Town Criers and were out promoting the region here as somewhere to come and see.
“I guess I want to continue on with that strong, really positive promotion.”
She was elected to the Martinborough ward, receiving 638 votes.
Joining her in the Martinborough ward is newcomer Pam Colenso, and sitting councillor Brian Jephson.
“I think it’s going to be a really exciting time over the next few years and there’s a lot going on,” Miss Maynard said.
“I just need to make sure I do my best for the people of the South Wairarapa and especially for the people of Martinborough.”
She said it was exciting to be a part of SWDC’s changing of the guard, with six new councillors elected across the three wards.
“We’re coming on, but it’s not like we’re starting from scratch, we’re taking over from a really successful council that is leaving, and each ward has an experienced councillor so it’s great to still have that knowledge there.”
Miss Maynard said ratepayers should expect “not just the same-old, same-old…we need to be fresh and exciting”.
Her personal area of focus would be youth and environmental development and protection.
“I grew up swimming, fishing, and playing in the rivers here and I want to be able to see our future generations continue to do that,” she said.
