About Mark
Candidate Statement
With over 24 years as CFO of the Modern Transport Group – a major manufacturer operating across New Zealand and Australia – I bring real financial experience to the Council table.
I’m also part-owner of Biddy Mulligans Irish Pub on Hood Street, so I understand the real-world challenges facing our central city and small business community.
Earlier in my career, I served as a tax inspector with the IRD in Hamilton, then worked for Deloitte in London, in FX commodity markets, and for UK research giant AGB. I later joined Arthur Young in Auckland and Lowndes Ryan in Hamilton.
I’ve worked with Council for over two decades and know where the problems lie. Missed opportunities, poor financial oversight, and inefficiencies are costing Hamilton.
If elected, I’ll bring strong financial acumen, tough but realistic budgeting, and a commitment to fiscal responsibility. Let’s build a city we can be proud of.
Candidate Profile Questions
1. What would be your top three priorities for Council the next three years?
1. Restore Financial Stability
Hamilton has been running on insufficient surpluses for years, leading to mounting debt, massive rate hikes, and deferred investment.
My goal is to bring strong financial discipline to Council – prioritising smarter budgeting, better value for money, and a culture that treats ratepayers as valued customers, not as ATM machines.
2. Fix Our Transport Network
Many of the recent roading changes have made life harder, not easier - think Rifle Range Road, Anglesea Street, Pembroke Street and Victoria Street.
These need to be reversed as money allows.
3. A thriving business community
A thriving Hamilton needs a thriving business community.
Businesses invest and they employ.
To encourage business success we need a development policy that encourages investment rather than stifles it. Business can leverage off our university, our farming community and our central location but they need the right policy settings to be able to do so.
2. What is your aspiration for Hamilton Kirikiriroa?
I want Hamilton to be the most affordable and forward-looking city in New Zealand - a city with a strong heart, vibrant businesses, and thriving local communities.
We are fortunate to have high employment and strong economic fundamentals. Let’s use that as a platform to invest wisely in housing, transport, and community.
Many buildings in our central city are outdated and in need of renewal. With the right approach, this challenge can be an opportunity. To succeed, we need a responsive, well-led Council that works with developers - not against them and gets results.
My vision includes delivering more and better services, while keeping costs down and improving transparency.
A city that has transparent processes and run by Councillors that put the city first.
3. How do you think Council could best use opportunities to meet the key challenges we are facing?
Hamilton’s future depends on a Council that supports - rather than hinders - those who want to build, employ, and contribute to our city. We need innovative solutions and Council processes that support local business and competition. That means cutting unnecessary red tape, reducing dependence on external consultants, and empowering well-trained, capable Council staff to make timely decisions.
We need to shift the culture from process to outcomes.
Planning and consents must focus on enabling development, not frustrating it with endless form filling and box-ticking.
When times are tough, we need to be bold, decisive, and efficient. That’s the mind-set I want to bring to Council.
4. If there was one thing you could change about Hamilton Kirikiriroa immediately, what would it be?
I would urgently re-set the Council’s budget to ensure a sustainable surplus and demand transparent, accountable reporting throughout the year. Financial credibility underpins everything else.
5. What qualities would you bring to Council that will help our city thrive?
I bring over four decades of experience as an Accountant and financial advisor.
Early in my career, I worked in the Forex markets in the UK and for one of the UK’s largest capitalised companies, AGB Research.
I have also worked in the tax divisions of accounting firms DeLoitte and Arthur Young before joining Hamilton accounting firm, Lowndes Ryan (subsequently Drew Flyger). I have a proven ability to explain complex financial issues in simple, easy to understand terms – and to think outside the box.
My core values are fairness, accountability, hard work, and community.
Outside of work, I’m a former competitive swimmer, a boaty, a saxophone player, and co-owner of Biddy Mulligans pub in the CBD – giving me a broad perspective and a strong connection to the people and culture of our city.
I’ll bring energy and dedication to serving Hamilton.
6. Where can voters go to learn more about you?
Social media:
Linked In - www.linkedin.com/in/mark-flyger-56128a364
My Facebook page Mark Flyger for Hamilton City Council West Ward
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