Rob Kofoed has ensured it will be an interesting local body election race by announcing he’s contesting the Ōtaki Ward seat on Kāpiti Coast District Council.

Rob is currently a district-wide councillor, but lives in Ōtaki. He will be up against the current Ōtaki Ward councillor, Shelly Warwick. Shelly has said she will seek the seat again at the elections in October.

So far no others have declared their intentions for the ward, though there’s some conjecture that Ōtaki Community Board chair Cam Butler and board member Jackie Elliott might also contest the seat.

Making his announcement six months out from the election, Rob says he’s got plenty of things he’d like to see through that he got started on through his first term on the council – especially the things that affect Ōtaki.

“I’ve enjoyed my time as a district-wide councillor, but I feel I can better serve Ōtaki if I have a role dedicated to representing Ōtaki,” he says. “I’m fully dedicated to serving the Ōtaki community for next trienniem.”

Rob has also served on the Ōtaki Community Board. He’s a qualified architect, a flight instructor and director of the Te Horo aerodrome. He’s been an Ōtaki resident for 30 years.

 Shelly said in early March she wanted to continue as the local councillor.

“I’m definitely running for re-election as Ōtaki Ward councillor,” she told Ōtaki Today. “It’s been a very productive and positive term.”

Shelly is a registered nurse who served two terms on the community board before her election to council in 2022.

Cam Butler says he is still undecided about his future in local politics.

Former councillor and current Ōtaki Community Board member Jackie Elliott is also undecided, but says she is keen to continue working “for my community and Kapiti”.

“Whether it’s standing for the Greater Wellington Regional Council seat, as a KCDC district-wide councillor or continuing my work on the community board . . . remains to be decided.”

The elections will be held on October 11.