An Ashburton mother of three wants to “bring a fresh perspective” to the council table.

Steph Poole plans to run for a seat on the Ashburton District Council in the Ashburton Ward in the upcoming elections.

The 31-year-old believes there needs to be a range of voices around the table to represent the community, and she brings the "young family voice”.

“Councils should reflect the community that they are elected to represent, and we have a beautiful diverse and vibrant community.

“I think it's time we had some representation from other areas of our community.”

Her background is in the health, wellbeing, and social sector.

“I’ve mostly had experience working in elderly healthcare and more recently moved into health promotion.

“I’ve always been really involved in those community organisations and groups, that’s where I found my passion for community work and volunteering, just being part of a community on a wider level.”

Now, she wants to take that step further by sitting on the council.

“The way to change things is to be involved.”

She also wants to bring a “better connection with the community” to the council.

“It feels like there is a disconnect between the community and the council.”

Poole admits being a district councillor would be "fairly new to me”, but said she has the tools for the job.

“I’m a mum and run a household on a budget, making sure there is food on the table, bills are paid, and there are some dollars left over at the end of the week.

“As a low-income whānau, I understand what it takes to make sure all the needs are met.

“You are never going keep everybody happy with every decision, so it's about making the most informed choices for the best outcomes for our community, the same as it is for your whanau.”

Born in Auckland, Poole spent most of her childhood in Taranaki before moving to Christchurch when she was 11.

Poole then moved with her husband Matt and two children to Ashburton in early 2022, with baby number three arriving in 2023.

“I’m not from Ashburton, but we chose Ashburton to be our home.

“It was an educated and thought-out decision to bring our family here to raise our family here.

“I'm passionate about being a part of that future and what that looks like for our community.”

Poole joins Jeff Ryan as candidates coming forward from outside the existing council so far, with the nominations for the election officially opening on July 4.

By Jonathan Leask