Now That's an Idea

In this episode, Debbie Gregory, former Gisborne Herald chief reporter and council candidate, to talk about her journey, her passion for waste management and recycling, and her vision for a more sustainable Tairāwhiti.

Debbie's idea? She see's Gisborne having a proper recycling center in Gisborne where waste is seen as a resource and delt with locally rather than shipped off at an extravagent cost.

Debbie reflects on the bureaucratic challenges of council work, and stresses why community involvement is essential in reducing waste and carbon emissions.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
04:28 Career Journey and Community Engagement
10:16 Waste Management Initiatives
15:03 Challenges in Local Governance
19:47 Vision for the Future and Closing Thoughts

20:57 Pop-Quiz

🎵 Intro music by Lenny Lawns
👉 For bonus content and the best way to support the show: https://nowthatsanidea.substack.com/

#Gisborne #WasteManagement #Recycling #Tairāwhiti #DebbieGregory #LocalPolitics #Sustainability

In this episode of Now That’s an Idea we have Meng Foon — former Race Relations Commissioner and long-time Mayor of Gisborne.

Meng talks about his journey into politics, the role of community engagement, and the lessons he’s learned from decades of public service. He also shares insights on how to evaluate council candidates, the importance of the ward system, and what can be done to boost voter turnout in local elections.

Even after stepping away from formal politics, Meng remains deeply committed to Tairāwhiti and to strengthening community life.

👉 For bonus content and the best way to support the show, head to: https://nowthatsanidea.substack.com/
🎶 Thanks to Lenny Lawns for the intro music!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Meng Foon

01:33 The Journey into Politics

03:06 Engagement and Community Connection

05:15 Voting Dynamics and Local Elections

07:58 Māori Wards and Representation

10:08 Advice for Voters and Candidates

12:23 Life After Politics and Community Involvement

Keywords

Meng Foon, politics, local elections, community engagement, council candidates, Tairawhiti, democracy, rugby, leadership, public service

In this kōrero, Alexandra Boros talks about local politics, community engagement, and the revitalisation of Gisborne and the wider Tairāwhiti region.

Alexandra’s big idea? Attracting young professionals to Gisborne and making it a destination for early-career talent. She believes bringing young people here will create a stronger energy for the next generation and help build a vibrant, connected city.

👉 The best way to support the show (and get access to bonus content) is by subscribing on Substack: https://nowthatsanidea.substack.com/

🎶 Special thanks to Lenny Lawns for the intro music.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Local Politics and Community Engagement

02:17 Personal Background and Connection to Gisborne

04:20 The Rise of Water Polo in Gisborne

05:52 Revitalizing the CBD: A Vision for Gisborne

08:25 Attracting Young Professionals to Gisborne

11:16 Addressing Housing and Community Needs

13:45 Creating a Vibrant City Center

15:31 Closing Thoughts and Community Commitment

16:15 Pop quiz

Keywords

local politics, community engagement, Tairāwhiti, water polo, revitalization, young professionals, housing, city center, Gisborne, community development

In this episode of Now That’s an Idea, we talk with Jordan Walker, a candidate for the General Ward in Tairāwhiti. They share their personal journey of reconnecting with their whakapapa and family, and their vision for youth engagement in local government.

Jordan’s idea? Putting money towards a rangatahi democracy fund to empower young voices and ensure rangatahi have a real say in decision-making. They also advocate for reinstating the Youth Council, promoting sustainability, and strengthening Māori representation in governance.

From navigating the challenges of local politics to reimagining youth involvement, Jordan’s kōrero highlights the urgency and opportunity to build a council that listens to its young people.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jordan Walker

05:19 Jordan's Journey and Background

09:35 The Importance of Family and Whakapapa

10:01 Jordan's Political Ideas and Priorities

12:12 Establishing a Rangatahi Democracy Fund

18:40 Engaging Youth in Local Governance

26:17 Navigating Politics and Compromise

31:14 Timeline for Implementation and Closing Thoughts

Keywords

election, youth engagement, local government, democracy, Māori representation, community, politics, arts, sustainability, Tairāwhiti

In this episode of Now That’s an Idea, we sit down with former editor of the Gisborne Herald, Jeremy Muir. Now a council candidate for Gisborne/Tairāwhiti, we discuss his candidacy, background, and vision for the region.

Jeremy’s idea: create stronger and more connected communities by shifting how local governance operates. He believes collaboration, cultural change within council, and real engagement with rangatahi are key to unlocking Gisborne’s potential.

Our kōrero covers:

• Jeremy’s background in community development and journalism.
• His motivation for running for council and pushing for real change.
• The importance of collaboration, relationships, and culture shift in governance.
• Innovative solutions for local challenges and engaging youth in decision-making.
• Why strong social connections are the foundation of resilient communities.

The conversation wraps up with a light-hearted rapid-fire quiz.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jeremy Muir

02:30 Motivation for Council Candidacy

04:03 Challenges in Local Governance

05:38 Vision for Strong Communities

07:56 Building Connections and Relationships

09:50 Culture Shift in Governance

12:41 Practical Steps for Change

16:15 Community Resilience and Support

17:26 Closing Thoughts and Rapid Fire Questions

18:00 Pop quiz

Keywords
Jeremy Muir, Gisborne, council candidacy, community development, governance, local government, collaboration, strong communities, election platform, Tairāwhiti

In this episode Jono Samson to talk about his journey, his candidacy, and his vision for Tairāwhiti. Jono opens up about his personal struggles with mental health, his passion for addressing homelessness, and the values of compassion and understanding that drive his leadership style.

Jono’s idea: building stronger community support systems that reduce homelessness, tackle mental health challenges, and help people find their strengths and purpose. He believes a more connected, compassionate community is key to unlocking Tairāwhiti’s potential.

We discuss the importance of community-led solutions, innovative approaches to social issues, and why Jono believes participation in local democracy matters more than ever.

Chapters
00:00 Electioneering Insights
07:49 Addressing Homelessness
15:32 Community Solutions and Support
20:51 Personal Journey and Resilience
22:27 Pop Quiz

Keywords
Jono Samson, mayoral candidate, mental health, homelessness, community support, local government, Tairāwhiti, New Zealand, election, social issues

In this episode of Now That’s an Idea, councillor Rob Telfer about his first term on the Tairāwhiti council and why he’s standing again.

Rob’s idea: shifting council culture. Rob wants to move away from fear and box-ticking towards a council that communicates openly, manages risk wisely, and backs opportunities for growth.

He shares his perspective on:

-The role of irrigation projects in driving economic development

-Representing rural voices and keeping them at the decision-making table

-Making council more accessible and responsive to the community

Music by Lenny Lawns

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Rob Telford

04:37 Understanding Council Dynamics

09:40 Culture Change in Local Government

14:57 Irrigation and Economic Growth

17:30 Closing Thoughts and Candidate Pitch

18:45 Pop Quiz

Keywords

Rob Telford, Tairawhiti, council, local government, economic development, irrigation, culture change, communication, decision making, community engagement

In this episode, host Jack Marshall sits down with Mayor Rehette Stoltz, discussing his candidacy and vision for Gisborne.

Stoltz talks about her re-election campaign, the challenges our region faces, and her big idea: boosting water infrastructure to drive economic growth.

She shares why investing in water is critical for creating higher-paying jobs and how collaboration between local stakeholders can help Tairāwhiti reach its potential. We also kōrero about community engagement and why younger voters need to be part of the conversation.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background of Mayor Richard Stoltz

05:56 Challenges and Opportunities in Leadership

10:57 Championing Water Infrastructure for Economic Growth

15:42 Collaborative Efforts for Water Management

20:34 Closing Thoughts and Community Engagement

25:23 Pop-quiz

Keywords

Gisborne, water infrastructure, economic growth, local government, community engagement, mayoral candidates, resilience, youth council, environmental sustainability, voter turnout

In this episode of Now That’s an Idea, we sit down with Rauhinia Parata, a current councillor running for re-election in the Māori Ward. Rauhinia shares her experiences in local governance, the challenges of working across ward boundaries, and her commitment to strong community representation.

Rawinia's idea: a perspective shift on council. That means supporting more housing, businesses and forestry, and creating more recreational spaces for whānau across Tairāwhiti.

The kōrero also explores the value of Māori wards in council, the realities of decision-making, and why Rawinia believes voter engagement is key to shaping the region’s future.

OVERVIEW

00:00 Introduction to Rawinia Parata

03:13 Experience as a Māori Ward Councillor

06:06 Building Relationships in Council

08:46 Vision for the Future: Housing and Community

11:13 Championing Parks and Recreation

13:55 Improving the Consenting Process

16:39 Closing Thoughts and Call to Action

19:51 Pop Quiz

Keywords

Māori Ward, Rauhinia Parata, Gisborne District Council, community representation, local government, housing issues, forestry industry, council dynamics, voting, public service

In this episode of Now That’s an Idea, we sit down with Ian Allan, a candidate for local council in Gisborne/Tairāwhiti general ward.

Ian’s idea: expand the Environment Centre to reduce waste, cut costs for ratepayers and help the planet.

Drawing on his background in technology and software, Ian talks about how innovative thinking and community engagement can reshape local governance. He emphasizes the importance of “falling in love with the problem, not the solution,” and shares his vision for waste management, affordability, and building a more resourceful community hub.

The conversation also explores Ian’s approach to collaboration and why he believes councils need to embrace risk-taking to drive positive change.

Chapters

0:00 Introduction to Ian Allan

06:34 Political Awareness and Motivation

09:20 Addressing Local Economic Challenges

11:24 Vision for the Environment Center

17:56 Waste Management and Community Engagement

21:04 Pitching for Council and Collaborative Governance

23:37 Pop Quiz

Keywords:

Ian Allan, Gisborne local election, Tairāwhiti council candidates, Environment Centre NZ, waste reduction, sustainable communities, affordable housing NZ, local government reform, community engagement, innovation in governance