South Wairarapa District Council ushered in a new chapter this week when Mayor Fran Wilde, Councillors and Community Board members were sworn in at ANZAC Hall in Featherston.

The ceremony began with a karanga and haka pōwhiri from Kuranui College tauira. The incoming council was welcomed with whaikōrero delivered by representatives of ngā hapū o Wairarapa ki te tonga – hapū of the South Wairarapa, representing Papawai and Kohunui marae.

The Council Chief Executive Janice Smith invited Mayor Fran Wilde to swear her oath, presenting her with the Mayoral chains.
Mayor Fran Wilde welcomed everyone in attendance to ANZAC Hall, acknowledging its beauty as a whare of remembrance and celebration.

“Haami, Matai and Paora, thank you for your warm welcome. It’s especially important for me to have this whaikorero from the mana whenua of the district. The council has a relationship with you under Te Tiriti o Waitangi. I am committed to leading a council with an active working relationship with you at all levels to further our joint interests and benefit all people of South Wairarapa.”

She congratulated the new councillors and community board members on their campaigns. “Election campaigns are never easy, but when you are elected you understand how worthwhile it is to be chosen for this position of trust by the community.”

Mayor Wilde said her ambition for South Wairarapa District Council is to be “The most energised, effective and user friendly council in the motu – accessible, responsive and timely. And visionary because we must have big ambitions”.

Mayor Wilde received the declarations of new councillors and community board members. The swearing in ceremony was followed by the first meeting of the 2025-28 triennium at the Waihinga Centre in Martinborough, at which Rob Taylor was appointed Deputy Mayor.


New Councillors

Te Karu o Te Ika a Māui Māori Ward – Andrea Rutene

Featherston Ward – Rachel Clarke, Colin Olds, and Rupert Watson

Greytown Ward – Simone Baker, Martin Bosley, and Collier Isaacs

Martinborough Ward – Chris Archer, Aidan Ellims and Rob Taylor


New Community Board members

Featherston Community Board – Warren Maxwell, Tui Rutherford, Anne Hynds and Tanja Schubert-McArthur.

Greytown Community Board – Louise Brown, Diane MacKenzie, Neil Morison, and Jolene Woodcock.

Martinborough Community Board – Ross Andrew, Nana Boyle, James Brodie, and Mel Maynard. Greytown District Trust Lands Trust – Phil Holden, Anna Cassie, and David Brosnan.

South Wairarapa had the fourth highest voter turnout in the motu (country) with 59.13%, which translated to 5,598 votes, including special votes.

The district voted to retain its Māori Ward in the binding poll held in the 2025 Local Government Elections.

ENDS

Media contact

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Above

Left to right, top row: Councillors Colin Olds, Martin Bosley, Rachel Clarke, Collier Isaacs, Chris Archer, Rupert Watson
Left to right, bottom row: Andrea Rutene, Rob Taylor, Mayor Fran Wilde, Simone Baker, Aidan Ellims