RIA BOND

 

I have been privileged to serve my community through local government and proud to be elected as the highest polling elected female councillor in the 2020 local body elections.  I followed through with my campaign promise and kept my word by openly listening to members of our public, making measured decisions that were not always popular within the council chambers. My Word Is my Bond. I have embraced challenging and confronting issues and believe I have faced these with conviction, showing respect and dignity, not compromising my communities expectations of civic leaders behaviours, keeping my principals and morals at the forefront of those challenging times, respecting the process.

 

Currently I am a member on the Infrastructure and Projects Committee, Community Wellbeing and Regulatory Committee, Finance and Policy Committee, Risk and Assurance Committee, Community Wellbeing Fund Subcommittee, Invercargill District Licensing Committee, member on the health portfolio, making good decisions (RMA) accredited hearings commissioner,  Otago southland Regional Transport committee, Rugby Park working group and participant in the Deloitte review of Project 1225.

 

​My employment history began working three jobs to make ends meet, McDonald's, South City Lotto and Stationery Shop and a salon assistant. I was forced to make decisions that kept a roof over my head, food in my belly and made some tough choices to go without, to save funds get ahead in life to achieve my goals of a secure future.​​​ I am proud my journey from hairdressing to public office is one of resilience, leadership, and service. Beginning my professional life as a qualified hairdresser, I established my own salon in Invercargill in 2002, joined the local hairdressing association. I worked my way up the ranks where my leadership progressed to holding New Zealand Hairdressing's highest leadership role.  I served as President of the New Zealand Association of Registered Hairdressers for six years, representing a sector with thousands of operators nationwide. I also held a directorship with the Hairdressing Industry Training Organisation and worked with NZQA advisory panels—roles that sharpened my governance skills and introduced me to policy making and advocacy.

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I wasn’t born into politics, rather politics found me. My political career began with my involvement in the New Zealand First Party, joining its national board in 2012 and standing as the party’s Invercargill candidate in the 2014 general election, where I did not make it into Parliament by nine votes. In 2015, I entered Parliament as a list MP, serving on the Commerce Select Committee, Health Select Committee, spokesperson for the community and voluntary sector and associate Health spokesperson. During my tenure, I was privileged championed regional voices, advocated for vulnerable children, and introduced a members bill to mandate the registration of social workers in child welfare. My time in Parliament cemented my reputation as a determined advocate for fairness and community wellbeing. 

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Following my parliamentary service, I was employed at Venture Southland as the Skilled Migrant Labour Coordinator, in which I turned my focus to local governance. I contested the Invercargill mayoralty in 2022.  I  have been an outspoken advocate for rebuilding trust in local government, promoting transparency, and ensuring community representation. I want every member of our community to know that my candidacy comes with a commitment to integrity, hard work, and focus on results. If elected, I will prioritize clear communication about policies and progress, ensuring that there is no disconnect between the government and the governed. I will champion initiatives that promote equity and inclusion, making sure no one is left behind. In addition to professional dedication, you can count on empathy and approachability throughout my tenure. I am here to listen, learn, and lead, guided by the concerns and aspirations of our residents.

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As a former business owner, I understand the unique struggles our local businesses have had in Invercargill and Bluff. I have spent over three decades living here, bringing my two children Johnathan and Maddison up here, observing, engaging, serving and participating in activities within our city and our country as a former director on national and local boards, president to national and local professional memberships, business mentor, volunteer, public speaker, advocated for members of our community.  I’m a proud Rotarian, and former Member of Parliament. With this wealth of experience and knowledge, I believe I am in a stronger position to channel that experience into constructive leadership because as Invercargill’s Mayor my leadership will be guided by the principal that progress is achieved through partnerships, not polarization. Leadership is crucial to drive policies that contribute to a strategic vision for our city. Our mayor needs to be bold, have the skills to unify their team, provide resources, promote cooperation, and identify emerging issues. During this complex and challenging environment, characterised by low levels of trust in local government, leadership is an essential attribute of effective local government. Council has also faced significant economic and regulatory changes that have contributed to our rate increases.