At 46, Whakamārama born-and-raised Suaree Borell is not only the youngest candidate running for the Western Bay of Plenty Mayoralty. She's the only female.

While she believes these factors bring a different set of values, skills and opinions – she says there is 'nothing male or female in terms of the role of Mayor”.

'I'm equally advocating for my ethnicity, my age and all the other ‘isms' that I have. But I absolutely believe they are all crucial to being present at the WBOPDC table.”

Suaree, who is university-educated, a homeowner, business director, and partner to Dr Lanuola Asiasiga – is a research and evaluation consultant. For this, she independently writes reports and gathers community service user voices on initiatives that Central Government procure from providers.

'I can work with anyone – but it's mainly working with government ministries.”

Why is she running for Western Bay Mayor – and, again, vying for a Kaimai Ward seat this Local Body Election?

'I think heritage is big part of that. I'm really celebrating my connection to Whakamārama,” says Suaree, who cites her family has been in Whakamārama for more than 130 years and is part of the area's rich Maori-French heritage.

'We have two homes at Whakamārama and I have a townhouse in Rotorua – but most days I'm on the road working, living in lots of places. But Whaka is definitely where Suaree Borrell is from.”

Returning home from Auckland six years ago, Suaree stood for the Kaimai Ward last election.

'I said next time I'd go for Mayor as I knew Garry [Webber] wasn't standing.

'I'm having a crack – being involved in Local Government has only recently joined my vision of what I wanted to do in terms of career and being home. It's connected to the place that we call home and my family has continued to serve Whakamārama through that time,” says Suaree, who points to her family being community-involved in a raft of ways 'since the Sharplins were running the mill”.

What are her goals?

'I'm seeking election to enable my contribution to critical issues facing our area. So planning, infrastructure – those things that dominate a region's agenda.

'Environment is an important part of that too – I hold this view because I think it's important to continue to make the Western BOP a vibrant place to live, a good place for business, and a strong area in terms of the services that we provide such as health and education.

'I think local councils need to take a broader scope of the issues they're looking to address. My area of expertise would be bringing community-based responsibilities to the way we make decisions within those issues.

'I don't believe I'm going to do this, this and this…I think it's about folding in community-based responsibilities like utilising local knowledge and experience to count in the decisions that we make.

'My underlying motivation is that there's fragmentation and siloed actions across Local Government that are often under-resourced.

'More often than not, roles and responsibilities across those entities focus on budgets and processes rather than outcomes. In my working experience, which is focused outcomes, I'd bring my expertise into that space.”

Suaree says tensions between Central and Local Governments minimise the very voice and energy of those they need the most.

'We need incentives and capabilities of institutions – those in CG and LG – to enable those voices to be folded into the regional decision-making systems.

'Through that you'll get a better map of things that can be developed regionally…and see how this can tackle our big issues, which for me are around environment and housing.”

Suaree says regulations around building disproportionately affect housing for Maori in particular – and rules from Local Government can equally hamper them.

'Central Government rolls out housing initiatives but I'm not sure to what end they've been effective? So I'd like to look at housing in the WBOP to ensure we are making solutions.

'There are some big stepping stones but I think it's important to put the human-ness back into those connections so we can accommodate things with a more human-centred approach to our regulations, where they don't make sense or are contributing barriers to solving the issues.”

Suaree also wants to ensure council is working to protect our environment.

'The WBOP is a productive district – I think we can still manage our responsibilities to be a productive district but we can do this in a way that doesn't necessarily impact the environment – and have discussions on this."

The Weekend Sun has asked all mayoralty candidates their views on the following topics.

Asked if she'd support local councils amalgamating, Suaree says: 'As a mayor or councillor, my role would be to provide stewardship and engagement for voters to make that decision. So, I'd be absolutely voter-led on that decision”.

On a Katikati Bypass, Suaree admits her topic knowledge is limited 'but I've heard, read, connected and resonated with the community voice that come out – they are deeply impacted by the traffic flowing through the main street of their town”.

'The role of being on council is to support community voice and support robust, sustainable solutions. Provisionally, yes I would support it – but pending more conversation with the residents of Katikati.”

On Three Waters, Suaree says like everything, reform come in waves and cycles.

'Three Waters is like the big one – the big taniwha. If I'm to say anything about it, it is that all of the partners need to have a conversation…and council and the community at large need to get better at having those conversations – not everything is black and white.

'You have to be brave, ask questions and don't assume things – that's the approach I'm taking to Three Waters. I think everybody understands drinking water quality is important and environmental outcomes are essential – but my current view is that I don't accept there is only one way to achieve those outcomes. And I don't think we should rush these reforms as it doesn't benefit anyone.

'By and large, I feel the proposal at Central Government level is inaccurate and somewhat out of touch. My campaign view would lean me to call on the Government to press ‘pause' and work with councils and communities on the issue.”