'Mr Mac' puts people first

Hugh McKechnie sees himself as a mayor with a difference.

"I'm no white-shirt-and-tie man and I have no money to fund an expensive election campaign. I have no business interests. But I love the north and I will be offering a fresh perspective, based on the principle that the most important thing is the people."

He decided to stand for the mayoralty last week, after thinking about it for some time.

Hugh has more life experience than most. He has worked as a bouncer, a miner, an accountant, a teacher and a life-skills instructor. As a writer, he's a great storyteller and as a carver and sculptor, his work is gaining profile nationally. He's one of Kerikeri's top golfers and an award-winning weightlifter.

Initially from Rotorua, his lineage is Scottish and Irish, although he has often been mistaken for Maori. He was given honorary Maori status, when he worked on a gold mine where Maori made up the majority of the workforce. As mayor, he says he'd work with Maori, as the heart of the community.

Hugh and his wife Debbie have lived in the Kerikeri area for the past 14 years. Debbie works at the Stone Store, promoting the historic area and the Far North.

His election slogan: "Mr Mac for mayor" arises from a nickname given him at Kerikeri High School where he taught for several years, with a special interest in youth at risk.

Hugh says he has no intention of slagging other people during the election campaign. He's relying on talking to people to build a profile, before the October election.

"Wayne Brown has his style and I think he's done a good job. But the council has to be more clever at how its spends money. If you spend more than you have coming in, you're going to get into trouble.I would like to get people working together and encourage decisions that are the best and most sustainable for the majority of the people."

While he considers himself green, politically, he's not opposed to progress, he says.

"But progress doesn't have to be at the expense of the environment. I don't want to impose my will but I see the Far North as GE-free and I have worries about the possibility of mining in the Far North."

Earlier this year, The Bay Chronicle carried an interview with Hugh, in which he recalled his experiences as a driller/blaster at the Golden Cross gold mine at Waitakauri, where he worked underground for seven years during the 90s.

"Green and organic is the best way to go for New Zealand. The mining companies may deliver jobs but most of the profits will go overseas.

"The positive side is the jobs but people should look at the overall picture. We have outstanding natural beauty. Let's look after our best assets," he said, at the time.

His views haven't changed with new developments concerning exploration for minerals the Far North.

He says he sees our best chance as promoting ourselves with a clean green image and building the district as a tourism destination."

Hugh attended Rotorua Boys High, and admits getting into trouble as a young man, but says he's proud of coming out whole the other side. He's the father of five children, one of whom has died. As a survivor of cancer, he considers himself a young 60, with "strength and determination and a desire to do service".

Hugh and Debbie have lived in Ahipara, Herekino and the Kerikeri area.

He knows a lot of people.

Asked why he is standing for the mayoralty rather than for the council or the community board, he says he operates better in the role of a leader than a follower.

" I have a deep love for the north. I'd like to run a happy ship, doing the best for the electorate. The other candidates may not see me as a threat but they will be surprised," he says.

- Bay Chronicle