This piece from the archive written by David Laurence in 2005 sets the scene for the impending campaign. It illustrates John Martin's inclusive and objective approach to local-body politics and a deep commitment to Wanganui and it's community whether as Mayor or as an individual.
Mayoral runner-up may try again 25.06.2005 By DAVE LAURENCE
Runner-up last year, John Martin might be back for another tilt at the Wanganui mayoralty in 2007.
So he's naturally a keen observer of the Vision-dominated Wanganui District Council and the manner of Mayor Michael Laws.
In terms of profile and proclamations Mr Martin was eclipsed last year. Yet he polled so strongly that arguably he would have been the winner if incumbent Chas Poynter had stood down.
Post-election, Mr Martin has been busy as a bee with the proverbial - despite his rather quaint insistence that he is in retirement. Some of this activity is likely to get public attention in the near future.
In a Chronicle interview this week he reflected on the new regime and did not rule himself out of the 2007 mayoralty contest.
"Going into the (2004) election I was hesitant because of my lack of profile. I got a more than satisfactory result."
Mr Martin said he continued to be a keen council watcher but doesn’t attend as many council-related meetings as he did pre-election. Post-election, the council inevitably had to change. "There was never any question we were going to see a number of new councillors come on board. I respect the work some of those new councillors are doing. I genuinely think they're going to be a valuable addition to local government in Wanganui.
"The mayoralty itself is proving to be controversial - as was promised. I don't think Wanganui should be surprised. In many ways, this debate is healthy within the community.
"Whether it's achieving anything for Wanganui, I'm not so sure. It's certainly lifting the mayor's profile nationally. It's a management profile I haven't come across in business or local government. There seems to be pleasure taken in creating division and controversy."
Mr Martin said one of Wanganui’s attractive features had been its ability to work as a community.
"We're experimenting with a more provocative approach to local government. We need to be careful over time that it doesn’t deter people from either moving to or investing in the district."
He invited people to think carefully about the actual level of change in Wanganui since last year's election.
For instance, the recent referendum on projects did not change priorities promulgated by the previous council.
"There has been a tremendous amount of noise about what the mayor perceived to be a so-called old boy network.
Sitting on the sideline as an observer, I see a new boys network to replace the old boy's one. So, again, where is the change?
"When it comes to the direction Wanganui is taking, yes, Wanganui is on a roll, but that started occurring two or three years back as the economic situation improved." How do others see us?
"You come up against a lot of negative criticism or humorous comment about the situation Wanganui is in. Though nationally and internationally politics has moved into the area of personalities, profile and celebrity status, whether we're talking about California or Wanganui. A lot of people will look at personality over policy."
Mr Martin now finds himself busier than in the days when he was racing round the world in the management of a global organisation. He has advisory and management roles in charitable organisations and new business enterprises.
"There is probably more enjoyment in the various things I'm involved with now. But my dream of spending half my life on the Whakapapa River with a fly rod in my hand hasn’t eventuated and the golf clubs haven’t been out of the cupboard for 12 months."
Yes, but will he make another mayoral bid?
I'll be watching and waiting to see what Wanganui says as we approach the next election. If Wanganui wants me as an alternative choice I may well consider that.
"I'm certainly not frightened off local body politics. And I remain intensely interested in Wanganui."
It is anyone’s guess whether Mr Laws will seek a second term. Already there is talk of renewed involvement in national politics.
Mr Martin (wearing a look of innocence): "He may have wider political aspirations."
For many years until the 2004 election party politics had little bearing on Wanganui local government though tickets were assembled from time to time. Wanganui’s opinion of the Vision influence presumably will be illustrated in 2007.
"My view of parties or tickets at local body level has been reinforced since the last election," Mr Martin said."There are some very valuable and competent individual councillors. Whether there is any value from the collective action of a team or a party is becoming very questionable."
He said he was still firmly opposed to a party whip scenario in which councillors were told they must do what their executive leader required.
"There is an impression that’s happening. It would be pretty hard to debate that that is not occurring. Take the spin away and look at the reality."
Mr Martin said the election of Mr Laws and Vision candidates was driving the current pace of changes in Wanganui local government and creating debate.
"Sooner or later the pendulum will swing back to where we've got change that more people are comfortable about."
Mayoral runner-up may try again 25.06.2005 By DAVE LAURENCE
Runner-up last year, John Martin might be back for another tilt at the Wanganui mayoralty in 2007.
So he's naturally a keen observer of the Vision-dominated Wanganui District Council and the manner of Mayor Michael Laws.
In terms of profile and proclamations Mr Martin was eclipsed last year. Yet he polled so strongly that arguably he would have been the winner if incumbent Chas Poynter had stood down.
Post-election, Mr Martin has been busy as a bee with the proverbial - despite his rather quaint insistence that he is in retirement. Some of this activity is likely to get public attention in the near future.
In a Chronicle interview this week he reflected on the new regime and did not rule himself out of the 2007 mayoralty contest.
"Going into the (2004) election I was hesitant because of my lack of profile. I got a more than satisfactory result."
Mr Martin said he continued to be a keen council watcher but doesn’t attend as many council-related meetings as he did pre-election. Post-election, the council inevitably had to change. "There was never any question we were going to see a number of new councillors come on board. I respect the work some of those new councillors are doing. I genuinely think they're going to be a valuable addition to local government in Wanganui.
"The mayoralty itself is proving to be controversial - as was promised. I don't think Wanganui should be surprised. In many ways, this debate is healthy within the community.
"Whether it's achieving anything for Wanganui, I'm not so sure. It's certainly lifting the mayor's profile nationally. It's a management profile I haven't come across in business or local government. There seems to be pleasure taken in creating division and controversy."
Mr Martin said one of Wanganui’s attractive features had been its ability to work as a community.
"We're experimenting with a more provocative approach to local government. We need to be careful over time that it doesn’t deter people from either moving to or investing in the district."
He invited people to think carefully about the actual level of change in Wanganui since last year's election.
For instance, the recent referendum on projects did not change priorities promulgated by the previous council.
"There has been a tremendous amount of noise about what the mayor perceived to be a so-called old boy network.
Sitting on the sideline as an observer, I see a new boys network to replace the old boy's one. So, again, where is the change?
"When it comes to the direction Wanganui is taking, yes, Wanganui is on a roll, but that started occurring two or three years back as the economic situation improved." How do others see us?
"You come up against a lot of negative criticism or humorous comment about the situation Wanganui is in. Though nationally and internationally politics has moved into the area of personalities, profile and celebrity status, whether we're talking about California or Wanganui. A lot of people will look at personality over policy."
Mr Martin now finds himself busier than in the days when he was racing round the world in the management of a global organisation. He has advisory and management roles in charitable organisations and new business enterprises.
"There is probably more enjoyment in the various things I'm involved with now. But my dream of spending half my life on the Whakapapa River with a fly rod in my hand hasn’t eventuated and the golf clubs haven’t been out of the cupboard for 12 months."
Yes, but will he make another mayoral bid?
I'll be watching and waiting to see what Wanganui says as we approach the next election. If Wanganui wants me as an alternative choice I may well consider that.
"I'm certainly not frightened off local body politics. And I remain intensely interested in Wanganui."
It is anyone’s guess whether Mr Laws will seek a second term. Already there is talk of renewed involvement in national politics.
Mr Martin (wearing a look of innocence): "He may have wider political aspirations."
For many years until the 2004 election party politics had little bearing on Wanganui local government though tickets were assembled from time to time. Wanganui’s opinion of the Vision influence presumably will be illustrated in 2007.
"My view of parties or tickets at local body level has been reinforced since the last election," Mr Martin said."There are some very valuable and competent individual councillors. Whether there is any value from the collective action of a team or a party is becoming very questionable."
He said he was still firmly opposed to a party whip scenario in which councillors were told they must do what their executive leader required.
"There is an impression that’s happening. It would be pretty hard to debate that that is not occurring. Take the spin away and look at the reality."
Mr Martin said the election of Mr Laws and Vision candidates was driving the current pace of changes in Wanganui local government and creating debate.
"Sooner or later the pendulum will swing back to where we've got change that more people are comfortable about."
