Taupō & Tūrangi News asked the four mayoral candidates for 150 words on why people should pick them.

Kevin Taylor

We live in difficult times, and it is sometimes difficult to know who to trust. Integrity is my absolute bottom line.

I have 44 plus years Police service and six with council, in addition to 30 plus years of volunteer service in not-for-profits in Taupo.

In that time, I have developed management and governance experience in wide-ranging environments, locally, nationally and internationally.

Significant changes loom for councils; including water services, resource management, consenting and planning with a refocus on essentials driven by central government. I am well prepared to address these issues and advocate strongly for Taupō.

As a team builder I have proven leadership experience. My work and life experience has taught me to be adaptable, resilient and prepared for the unexpected, particularly in Civil Defence situations and times of crisis.

As a strategic thinker with a clear understanding of the environment we live in, my focus is on the future for Taupō.

John Funnell

I am running because I am concerned that Taupo is becoming unaffordable for too many, whether it is massive rates rises or housing costs that mean our kids and grandkids cannot afford to live here.

As an experienced businessman and pilot, I have started and run successful Taupō businesses and know the dead hand of unnecessary regulation kills growth and initiative.

We need council to make it easy to build here, whether a large commercial building, granny flat or a garage, not get in the way of good people wanting to spend their own money to make Taupō a better place.

I will be voting against Māori Wards, and I will respect the will of the voters in the Māori Ward referendum.

A vote for John Funnell is a vote to get rates under control, to fix our broken housing market and to return council to core business.

David Trewavas

Kia ora and hello, thank you for your support over the past four terms as Mayor.

With my wife Anna and four daughters, life remains busy and rewarding.

Together as a district, we’ve achieved major milestones over the past three years including a modern airport terminal, lakefront upgrade, and securing Supercars and World Ironman events.

These efforts helped Taupō earn the title of New Zealand’s most beautiful town and become a CNN top global destination.

Now is the time for trust, stability, and steady leadership. We must consolidate our progress and keep life affordable across the Taupō District, while continuing to support our farmers, local businesses, geothermal sector, and our communities of Tūrangi, Mangakino, Kinloch, Southern Shores, and everyone in between.

Thank you for your ongoing trust. I won’t let you down - and I won’t leave a job half done.

Vote David Trewavas - Still the Mayor for All.

Zane Cozens

Taupō District is proudly my home.

I’ve built successful businesses here, grown alongside our people and I know our potential. I refuse to accept mediocrity as our future.

I’m a proud returned serviceman with an award-winning career in hospitality and sales.

Experienced in public service, I’m energised, proven, and driven by teamwork and real results.

Twelve years of visionless leadership has encouraged weak decision-making, poor financial control that now forecasts rate rises three times the rate of inflation. We deserve better.

I’ve developed a bold 100-day plan to build a disciplined, transparent, future-focused Council - one that earns back your trust, making every cent work harder.

Let’s rein in waste, find efficiencies, fight for external funding and unlock opportunities for youth and business.

I’ll lead from the front, be visible and always work for you.

Election 2025 is a turning point. Vote Zane and let’s step it up!