A haka and a dream team

6 Nov 2025 • By Chris Gardner

Council chief executive Tanya Winters with mayor Rodney Dow. Photo: Chris Gardner

Tears of joy followed haka and waiata at Ōtorohanga District Council’s swearing in on Tuesday.

Ōtorohanga’s deputy mayor, Katrina Christison, received a bouquet from mayor Rodney Dow after her appointment was confirmed. Photo Chris Gardner

Deputy mayor Katrina Christison was the first councillor to have the capacity crowd gathered in the council chamber reaching for their tissues as she thanked her family for their support after a rousing welcome from mana whenua.

Later in the proceedings mayor Rodney Dow presented Christison with a bouquet as he formalised her appointment as deputy mayor.

Council chief executive Tanya Winters pictured with, from left, councillors Kit Jeffries, Tayla Barclay, Jaimee Tamaki, Katrina Christison, mayor Rodney Dow, Tennille Kete, Shane Carr, Andrew Barker and Jo Butcher.

She giggled with delight every time he used the title throughout the day.

First term Māori ward councillor Tennille Kete was another who wrestled to hold back the tears as the love and support of the Ōtorohanga community washed over her.

Dow was first up to the podium, following the pōwhiri celebrating the six new councillors and five new community board members joining the council alongside some incumbents.

Dow called them “the dream team”.

“Ōtorohanga is not a dot on the map,” he said. “Let’s make sure kiwi in Ōtorohanga know they can fly.”

In their first meeting, the council set its regular meeting date as the last Tuesday of the month

Council stalwart Christison and first-time councillor Tayla Barclay were appointed to Ōtorohanga Community Board.

Kāwhia-Tihiroa Ward councillors Kit Jeffries and Jo Butcher were appointed to the Kāwhia Community Board and each will serve half a term starting with Jeffries.