Video: Call to politics leads former NZ Airforce member to stand again for Hastings District Council
When a car crashed into her Hastings’ property’s fence, Melanie Petrowski felt a calling to politics, which has led her to stand once again for the District Council.
Petrowski, a former New Zealand Airforce member, is standing in the Hastings District Council Heretaunga Ward by-election. She is up against six other candidates - Brendan Grant, Hana Montaperto-Hendry, Shona Brewer, Tāwhana Chadwick, Sarah Greening-Smith and Geoff Downer.
She did a diploma in politics through Massey a number of years ago, but it was an incident in 2018 that led her into politics.
“A car crashed into my house. So that was kind of the starting point of my political vigour. I tried to get the Council to do something about it, but nothing was done.”
“And since then I've actually seen quite a few fences and properties damaged because of boy races. And we've had problems with illegal motorbikes, as well in the park and all over Hastings really.”
“I just sort of felt called to it and little things have happened to me on the way to prompt me to do something about it.”
Having stood unsuccessfully in both Hastings District Council and general elections for Tukituki, Hawke’s Bay App asked Petrowski why she thought this time would be different.
“Maybe people can see that I am persistent and I guess that is connected with my work ethic as well.”
“I like to see results, I'm solution-focused, and sometimes I don't take no for an answer and I just keep pushing until I get some kind of positive result.”
Petrowski says that she also developed an interest in politics after she returned from overseas in 2015 and was a volunteer for former Napier MP Stuart Nash during an election campaign.
Born and bred in Hawke’s Bay, Petrowski wanted to be a flight attendant for Air New Zealand, but at 18, was too young – the minimum age was 20 years at the time. She joined the New Zealand Airforce as a uniformed steward in the catering service.
“I got London City and Guilds qualifications through the Air Force and served dignitaries and government heads and overseas people and officers and so forth.”
It was while working in Auckland after leaving the Airforce that Petrowski became a Christian and her “whole life changed”.
Melanie Petrowski:
went to Uganda in 2014. Intended on staying, living there for two years, working with the children, but my finances dried. I've only lasted five months, so I had to come home to mum for a bit here in Hawke's Bay.
“I went to Uganda in 2014 and intended on staying, living there for two years, working with the children, but my finances dried up. I've only lasted five months, so I had to come home to mum for a bit here in Hawke's Bay.”
As for the main issues she is standing on Petrowski says she is against managed retreat.
“I'm a big picture person, so I can see the overarching of globalism entering in our local government.”
“We are seeing it now actually play out with the horrible results, I guess, of the decisions made after Cyclone Gabrielle, buyout schemes and so forth.”
“It's really taken a toll on the residents, and I believe they need more financial support and emotional support, not only from council, but from the charities that I think they're still holding millions back for these very people.”
The Hastings District Council says that voting papers will be delivered to letterboxes of eligible voters (Heretaunga and Takitimu wards) around May 2. Voting papers must be returned by noon on the closing date: May 24
More information on the process, including candidate information and nomination forms, will be made available before February 29 here: hastingsdc.govt.nz/our-council/elections.
Andrew Austin – Editor, Hawke’s Bay App – andrew@hbapp.co.nz
Watch the accompanying video to see the full interview with Melanie Petrowski.
