About Your Next Mayor
Nigel Simpson
I enjoy serving our city and would be honoured to serve you as Mayor.
With 40 years of public service experience - from volunteering to Local Government Regional Manager to elected governance - I have a deep understanding of Local Government and its relationship with Central Government.
Change, reviews, and reform have been constants throughout my career. These experiences have prepared me well to lead the major reforms soon to impact Napier City Council.
In all my roles, I have interpreted legislation, developed strategy and policy, and led implementation of programmes and projects delivered within budgets. I hold a Master of Business Administration, strengthening my skills in governance, leadership, strategy, finance, and change management. Ongoing professional development has equipped me with prudent, visionary, and strategic decision-making abilities.
I have negotiated with and advised Ministers of the Crown, Mayors, and Chief Executives, and worked closely with communities to deliver the best outcomes.
If you want steady, experienced leadership that understands the challenges ahead and how to navigate them, I am ready to lead Napier forward.
What needs fixing?
Some Councillors have struggled to fully understand good governance, leading to inconsistent and reactive decision-making that leaves many residents frustrated.
Instead of steady, transparent leadership, we’ve seen a rollercoaster of changing directions that makes it difficult for staff to be efficient or effective and affects our city's ability to plan and grow confidently.
Financial management has been a major concern. Spending has often been unplanned or unbudgeted, which has contributed to rising debt levels and increased rates. This is unfair for families and businesses trying to manage their costs and extremely concerning to residents on fixed incomes.
Progress on key issues has been slow or unclear. Affordable housing projects and vital infrastructure upgrades are still waiting for meaningful action. Meanwhile, community needs are growing, and Napier deserves a Council that delivers practical solutions, not delays.
What I bring:
-
Experience: Years of working in local government and community projects.
-
Accountability: Responsible decision-making and sound financial management.
-
Community focus: Listening and working with residents to deliver real results.
-
Sustainability: Protecting the environment while encouraging smart growth.
-
Leadership: Building a strong, positive Council that serves all Napier people.
​
My council roles and responsibilities
Current:
-
Member, Council
-
Member, Standing Committees
-
Member, 3 Year Partnership Fund Committee
-
Member, Creative Communities Grants Committee
-
Portfolio Holder, Community Resilience
-
Deputy Chairman, HB Crematorium Committee
-
Alternate Member - Omarunui Joint Refuse Landfill Committee
-
Member, Hearings Committee
-
Alternate Member - HB CDEM Joint Committee
-
Council Representative - Taradale Business Association
Previously
-
Member, CEO Contract Committee
-
Member, Audit and Risk Committee
-
Member, Hearings and Tenders Committee
-
Portfolio Holder, 3Waters
-
Costal Hazards Joint Committee
-
HB Drinking Water Joint Committee Member
​
A message from me
"Napier is my home, and I’m proud to stand for Mayor because I believe we can build a city that works for everyone - with smart growth, strong communities, and leadership you can trust."
​
My Points of difference:
-
My experience spans across many Local and Regional Councils
-
I know what best practice Local Council Governance is
-
I am experienced working with Ministers and Government Agencies
-
I have experience working with individuals, community groups and NGOs
-
I am committed
-
I live in Taradale
-
In the past term I was the only rural City Councillor
​
I have regularly attended the Taradale Residents Association meetings, being available to provide updates from Council and answer questions.
I worked with and on behalf of both the Business and Residents Associations to have safety improvements made in Symons Lane, and with Rotary to ensure their centennial gift to Taradale, the shelter and tables and chairs, were installed in Taradale park, and participated in the public consultation to help the Napier Rotary Pathway Trust to gain approval to extend and finish the mainly off road pathway loop around our city.
I've worked with residents in; Hetley Crescent to improve the maintenance of their hill side reserve and footpath safety and drainage in the Churchill Drive reserve, and with Jervoiston residents to tidy up the road reserve on Napier Street.
I also completed courses to add to my skillset two of interest, 'Chairing Meetings' and 'Making Good Decisions' an intensive programme to become an Accredited Resource Management Act Hearings Commissioner.
It's been a pretty busy six years, but I got things done.
​
Previously, I spent thirty years in local government management in roles that ensured I understood the function, capability and capacity of every department. I requested and managed budgets, implemented and delivered projects. I reported to and worked with Mayors and CEOs in a number of councils in different towns, I contributed to writing Activity Plans, Asset Management Plans, Annual Plans and Long Term (ten year) Plans developing a robust knowledge understanding of these strategic documents their purpose and how to implement them.
​
After I left local government, in a two-year period 2015-16 I completed a Master in Business Administration and joined the Institute of Directors, and now maintain a professional development programme.
My MBA studies confirmed both my practical and technical skills in:
-
Leadership, and
-
Corporate Governance, and
-
Crafting and Executing Strategy, and
-
Financial Management, and
-
Project Management, and
-
Marketing Management, and
-
Operational Process Management, and
-
Performance Management, and
-
Change Management, and
-
Human Resource Management, and
-
Research, and
-
Truism Operations.
​
In my former Local and Regional Local Government roles, I interpreted legislation and regulation, drafting policy and worked with Governance to implement it. I managed or contributed through reform processes and numerous reviews. I was responsible for initiating and then facilitating interorganisational and multi jurisdictional Governance and working groups. I worked with a wide range of individuals and organisations, with some projects involving eighty or more organisations and hundreds of their staff.
I got things done, by earning the trust and collaboration of others.
​