About Rudi
Candidate Statement
I'm married to Barbara, my inspiration and strength. With Barbara's support, I'm running for Mayor of Hamilton to restore effective, efficient, and responsible management to our City Council. I am a man of faith, which inspires me to serve the community. My eight years as a Councillor in Johannesburg, serving on oversight committees, managing a metropolis 30 times Hamilton's population and 15 times its size, gives me razor-sharp expertise to curb wasteful spending. Sizable rate increases are symptomatic of poor financial management. I'll implement tactical financial oversight and stop the proposed Council-Controlled Organisation (CCO) for water, preventing water meters and hidden taxes.
My innovative water conservation plan and 10-year Hamilton Lake project will make our city New Zealand's gem. I'll prioritize strategic cycle lane redesign and safe pedestrian walkways for seniors, mobility scooters, and families. Let's rid ourselves of the road cone madness. I'll lead Hamilton to thrive responsibly.
Candidate Profile Questions
1.What would be your top three priorities for Council the next three years?
1. Enforce a 10% Expenditure Cut: I will mandate a 10% budget reduction across all departments, saving $25.6 million per year from the $256 million annual rates revenue (2024). This targets non-essential spending, such as $83 million per year on consultants (2022-2024), deferring projects like cultural events or aesthetic upgrades ($750,000 per year). This ensures fiscal discipline, prioritizing core infrastructure like roads and water, as urged by the 2025 Pre-election Report.
2. Cap Rates at CPI: I will limit rate increases to CPI (3.3% in 2024) plus 1%, reducing the planned 15.5% hike for 2025/26. This eases household burdens while maintaining essential services, addressing the report’s focus on affordability.
3. Transparent Debt Management: I will allocate 10% of annual rates ($25.6 million per year) to reduce the $1.26 billion debt (2023), cutting interest costs (by $63 million per year). Detailed budgets published online, will ensure accountability.
2. What is your aspiration for Hamilton Kirikiriroa?
Vision:
I envisage an exceptional quality of life and unmatched liveability for Hamilton’s residents, businesses, and communities, making our city a place where everyone thrives.
Mission:
I will build a vibrant, inclusive Hamilton that preserves its small-town charm and fosters community wellbeing. I will protect ratepayers’ wallets from exploitation by eliminating wasteful spending on non-essential projects and prioritizing efficient core services—roads, water, waste—while keeping rate increases low. Transparent budgeting accessible online, will ensure every dollar delivers value. Together, we’ll drive growth, maintaining a council accountable to ratepayers, not extravagant desires.
Disclaimer:
Information sourced from Hamilton City Council’s 2025 Pre-election Report and general council financial data.
3. How do you think Council could best use opportunities to meet the key challenges we are facing?
To tackle Hamilton’s challenges—rising costs, infrastructure demands, and eroding trust—I propose actionable opportunities.
First, I will commission an independent audit of all pending projects to scrutinize costs and prioritize core services like roads and water, protecting ratepayers’ wallets from wasted dollars.
Second, I will conduct post-mortem analyses of projects with severe cost blow-outs to identify mismanagement, ensuring future budgets stay disciplined.
Third, I will rebuild trust through regular public forums and an online budget portal, letting ratepayers shape priorities. These steps address urban development pressures and
waters reform, as noted in the 2025 Pre-election Report, delivering practical, cost-effective infrastructure that serves residents and businesses without extravagant spending.
Disclaimer: Information sourced from Hamilton City Council’s 2025 Pre-election Report and general council financial data.
4. If there was one thing you could change about Hamilton Kirikiriroa immediately, what would it be?
If I could change one thing about Hamilton immediately, it would be the perceived lack of stringent financial controls which has resulted in wasteful spending in the past, like for instance - the Founders Theatre demolition cost $3.7 million (2023-2024), with no clear plan for the site beyond a park, squandering potential revenue. Shaw’s Bird Park’s destruction removed a unique attraction, diminishing tourism without cost transparency. The Ward Street flowerpot and painting fiasco wasted funds on unnecessary aesthetics, frustrating residents. Excessive speed humps and road cones, costing millions annually. There is an urgent need for practicality to triumph over bureaucracy. The State Highway 3 Dixon Road roundabout saw significant cost blow-outs, with no public accountability. I’d implement an independent audit of all projects to halt such extravagance, prioritizing essential services like roads and water to protect ratepayers’ wallets and restore trust.
5. What qualities would you bring to Council that will help our city thrive?
Analytical Mindset: Approaching problems logically and using evidence to make informed decisions.
Assertiveness: Communicating directly, taking charge in challenging situations.
Confidence: Displaying self-assurance to inspire trust and drive action.
Dynamic Leadership: inspiring and guiding teams with energy, adaptability, focusing on driving results. Currently Hamilton Grey Power Chairman and Grey Power Zone3 Director.
Decisiveness: Making swift, confident decisions to keep projects moving forward.
Goal-Orientation: Setting and pursuing ambitious objectives with a focus on results.
Governance: Establish and oversee policies, structures, and processes to ensure accountability and effective decision-making.
Initiative: Taking the lead on projects or changes without needing external prompts.
Law: Understanding and applying regulations, meeting compliance requirements in Council decisions.
Problem-Solving: Tackling obstacles with practical, proactive solutions.
Public Speaking: Delivering clear, confident messages, engaging and inspiring audiences.
Resilience: Staying focused and composed under pressure or setbacks.
Visionary: Creating and articulating a compelling future vision that inspires citizens.
6. Where can voters go to learn more about you?
Website: https://www.waronwaste.co.nz/
Social media: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1738987966664942/