Grant Lethborg for mayor

11/10/2025

As elections have been decided, I want to thank everyone who supported my mayoral campaign. Your encouragement, and belief in my vision for the Ruapehu District have meant heaps to me. A special thanks to my campaign team of Di, Laura, Chelsa ,Cutta, and Jacob, Andrea and my mokos, who were my no.1 fans.
Although the outcome was not what we had hoped for, I am incredibly proud of the positive campaign we ran of getting the truth out there. It was a privilege to meet so many of you and discuss the issues that matter most to our community. The conversations we had about the massive debt, high rate increases and reckless use of ratepayer money gives me hope that the new council will take back control for the people of the Ruapehu.
I want to personally thank everyone who donated their time, resources, and energy to help our campaign and to those who put their support in me when some excluded me from certain platforms .As my good friend Baldy stated "the truth will always bubble to the top"
While I will not be serving as your next mayor, my commitment to this district remains strong. I will continue to be a passionate advocate for the people of Ruapehu and will keep getting the figures out to you.
Thank you again for your incredible support.
Nga Mihi Nui
Grant Lethborg
Former Ruapehu Mayoral Candidate

09/10/2025

One day left to vote, do you think you have had transparency and accountability on the 700,000-00 overspend??

09/10/2025

RURAL WARDS OR NOT?

The current mayor is advocating for rural wards, is he stating that they don't get representation on the council. So , what constitutes a rural ward?
-- if you own property in a rural ward but live elsewhere,?
--- A person who lives in a town in the Ruapehu District (and is enrolled there) if they own a farm or a bach in that rural ward and are registered on the ratepayer roll for that area?
--- A rural delivery mailing address?
--- land of more than 500 acres?
--- forestry block owners?
--- a small house or lifestyle block. holiday home?
With 3 of the 4 mayoral candidates on council ,living in the rural areas, have they not been advocating for rural as well as urban?
Once again , like the financial disaster they have put us in, it appears , and certainly looks like, they have neglected the rural sector.
I am sure you can decipher the reason for advocating at a late notice for rural wards yourselves.
I live in a rural area but i guarantee you i will represent all in the Ruapehu!!!

08/10/2025

It is great that the new relaxation of earthquake rules allows one and two-storey URM buildings in towns with fewer than 10,000 people, not to require complete full remediation, however owners will need to secure the façade to be removed from the register. This must surely add value to the Ruapehu properties affected and hopefully encourage tenants , bringing much needed life to the local communities .If elected mayor i will ensure that the council supports owners in making this new legislation run as smoothly and expediently as possible.
As for the Chateau, although i would love to see it reopen, realistically, most of the comments from the current mayor are just "whimsical notions", it would still be classified as an earthquake-prone building, but its path to remediation would likely be slightly easier and potentially more achievable The Chateau is a heavy concrete building constructed before 1976 and is more than three stories tall. Under the new proposals, it is in the medium and high seismic zones. Even without expensive seismic upgrades, the Chateau is in a state of serious disrepair from years of neglect. A 2023 report from property consultants Prendos found extensive water ingress, decaying timber, and a failing roof. These repairs alone will require millions of dollars. Reports commissioned by the Department of Conservation (DOC) confirm the building was left in a "severe state of disrepair" by its former lessee, with significant water damage and deferred maintenance .So the cost alone to address the water ingress, decaying timber, and failing roof will require a large investment.
Also local iwi have indicated that a long-term lease cannot proceed until cultural redress negotiations related to the Tongariro National Park are completed. So where are we at?
I believe the cost to an investor to reopen the doors to the public will be more in the range of 200-250 million dollars.

07/10/2025

Kia ora,

I was born and raised in Taumarunui . District. I'm running for mayor because I believe its time for fresh grounded leadership.
THIS PAGE AND ALL POSTS / PHOTOS FROM IT HAVE BEEN AUTHORISED BY GRANT LETHBORG 26 OWHANGO ROAD,OWHANGO

07/10/2025

As the election draws to a close, I want to thank everyone who has backed my campaign for Mayor of Ruapehu, and I am really looking forward to the preliminary results on Saturday. There are too many to name individually, but I will get around to thanking you all personally. Your support has been a humbling experience and a constant source of motivation. It has been great meeting so many of you and discussing what matters most to all of us. Real amazing to realize how many were not aware of the RDC ‘s financial position and in house antics. I have felt privileged to have made this public(as well it should have been) to you all. To realize the lack of transparency and accountability within the council is shocking and the current CEO and Mayor are totally responsible, while the councilors should shoulder a fair bit of blame as well. Win, lose or draw I have sent a lengthy email to the Fraud office and Auditor General with lots of facts figures and findings that definitely warrant further investigation ,and in my mind instant resignations.
IF YOU WANT TO MAKE CHANGE ,IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO VOTE!
voting closes at noon this Saturday, October 11th.
To make your vote go to a Ruapehu District Council office:
• Taumarunui Office: 59–63 Huia Street, Taumarunui.
• Ohakune Office: 79 Clyde Street, Ohakune.
Request special voting papers: Inform the staff that you need to cast a special vote and you will receive the necessary documents.
Fill out the forms: The special voting papers include a declaration form. You will need to fill this out and sign it.
If you need assistance or transport to register and vote ,we can help you. Please message us or phone 0800 222663.or text Di on 027 6786462

Kia ora,

I was born and raised in Taumarunui . District. I'm running for mayor because I believe its time for fresh grounded leadership.
THIS PAGE AND ALL POSTS / PHOTOS FROM IT HAVE BEEN AUTHORISED BY GRANT LETHBORG 26 OWHANGO ROAD,OWHANGO