**Retiring councillors John Williamson and Kirsty Trueman at their last council meeting on September 30, 2025.**

A combined 30 years of service to the Taupō District Council and its communities came to an end yesterday as three councillors attended their final council meeting.

Councillors John Williamson, Kirsty Trueman and Karam Fletcher all gave valedictory speeches as they attended their last full meeting of the council. Williamson and Trueman attended in person while Fletcher, who has been heavily involved with the tangihanga for Tā Tumu Te Heuheu Tukino VIII, joined online from Tūrangi.

Taupō ward councillor John Williamson has had 12 years of service (four terms), Kirsty Trueman has served 15 years (five terms) as Mangakino-Pouakani ward councillor and Karam Fletcher has served from 2022 as one of the council’s two inaugural Te Papamārearea Māori ward councillors.

Williamson said it was a privilege to represent the community and not one to be taken lightly.

Son of long-serving former Taupō District Mayor Joan Williamson, he had learned from his mother’s 24 years of local government experience as well as from the wisdom of the late Keith Crate, the late Barry Hickling and council stalwarts Anna Park and Kirsty Trueman.

His speech traversed the highs and lows of his council service, particularly noting the challenges that arose during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Highlights included District Plan reviews, establishing Māori wards, the Mana Whakahono agreement with Ngāti Tūrangitukua, Taupō Town Centre Transformation, the southern trunk sewer main project, the Ironman 70.3 World Championship and attracting Supercars to the Taupō District.

He particularly singled out his decade as a council representative on the Lake Taupō Protection Project Joint Committee, a legacy project recognised internationally for cleaning up the lake and waterways.

Challenges included misinformation, particularly around the proposed Joint Management Agreement with Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board, political point-scoring at the expense of team respect and collaboration and the push for rates capping, which he warned could bring unintended consequences.

Williamson concluded by quoting his mother Mayor Joan: think long-term, build strong relationships and maintain balance and a good sense of humour.

“He aha te kai a te Rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. What is the food of leaders? It is communication.”

Williamson looks forward to spending more time with family and friends, travelling and maintaining his roles in community organisations.

Trueman, who was supported in the chamber by family members, said when she was first sworn in as a councillor, she was supported by a haka from students at Mangakino Area School. Afterwards, she was told that it was the first time a haka had been performed in the council chambers.

“I quickly realised that aspects of te ao Māori didn’t feature in formal council meetings the way I had expected. I came from a community where tikanga was a natural part of daily life, so stepping into the very different world of local government was a steep learning curve for me.”

That changed when the council voted to establish Māori ward seats, introduced karakia at meetings, te reo classes and waiata.

“These were more than just symbolic gestures – they were a genuine shift in how we show up as community leaders,” Trueman said.

“I sincerely hope our Māori wards continue. They’ve made us a stronger, more inclusive council. They’ve widened our understanding and deepened our respect. We are a better team because of them.”

Trueman said over the years she had learned many things and the biggest was that the most important part of being a councillor was building relationships.

“No project can happen without the support of your colleagues at the council table. Nothing is achieved alone – it takes collaboration and teamwork. That includes working with your fellow councillors, the Mayor, CEO and council staff as well as with your community, your iwi and hapū partners, community groups and stakeholders.”

Achievements she was proudest of were those that directly affected her ward, including the refurbishment of the Mangakino Sports Hub, Waikato River Trails, district-wide water rating, upgrades to water infrastructure and the upcoming Mangakino Lakefront Development Project.

In the wider district, she was proud to have played a part in district projects and events, from Te Mataapuna in Tūrangi to the Taupō Airport redevelopment, Waiora House and the post-Covid shovel-ready projects.

She signed off by thanking the mayor and her fellow councillors – “we didn’t always agree, and that’s okay”, council staff (“the backbone of this organisation”), her community, her whānau, husband and children.

“As I step away from this role, I do so with pride, knowing that together we’ve helped build a more inclusive, more resilient and more connected district.”

Fletcher, who had largely lost his voice after what he acknowledged was “a tremendously long and hard week”, thanked his fellow councillors for their leadership and support of the community, hapū and iwi.

He acknowledged the leadership of Mayor David Trewavas and retiring councillors Williamson and Trueman and added a special acknowledgement to Deputy Mayor Kevin Taylor and former councillor Anna Park, who he had been seated between at the council table, and who often provided him with whispered guidance or explanations while he got to grips with council business.

Fletcher made particular mention of Te Maruata Rōpū Whakahaere, a sub-committee of Local Government New Zealand made up of Māori elected members, saying he was fortunate to meet so many elected members from throughout the country with such deep passion and love for what they did.

Being one of the first Māori ward councillors for the Taupō District had been a privilege he would carry for the rest of his life, he said, but he had decided to step away at the end of the term for family reasons.

“After the birth of our beautiful baby girl and the refocus of our priorities of our family I decided not to stand again which is not a reflection of the time over the last three years but of the values of our family.”

His hope for the next council was that it could progress the Joint Management Agreement with Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board and that Māori wards would continue.

“Stay steadfast in your ability to make the right decisions for our community.”

Mayor David Trewavas thanked all three retiring councillors for their service to the community, for their input, wisdom and decision-making.

The meeting was preceded by a minute’s silence to mark the passing of Tā Tumu and the unexpected death of a close family member of one of the council election candidates