Yvonne Bowater
Passionate about Nelson Community
As a dedicated, community-focused Nelsonian, with experience resolving complicated issues by finding practical solutions, I believe I am well-suited to represent the people of Nelson on Council.
The majority of my career was in the hairdressing industry, eventually working at a national governance level. It was in this people-focused sector that I honed my excellent communication skills and my ability to listen. I have been involved with many community organisations such as heritage, youth, non-profits, business, education and health in regional and national capacities. Whenever I see a need, it is in my character to help – directly lending a hand or by connecting others.
I want to be part of a Council that listens to its citizens, gets things done, and lives within its means whilst encouraging growth and opportunity. I would appreciate your vote and will work diligently to make Nelson a strong, vibrant place for our entire community.
My vision for Nelson is an inclusive, vibrant, intergenerational and prosperous city which recognises and reflects our rich arts and cultural heritage.
The closure of the top of Trafalgar Street provides unique opportunities to stimulate social interaction in the CBD. Nelson City further can be enhanced as a regular, year-round destination for people from across the Top of the South.
The establishment of inner-city living, and the expansion of green space has the potential to create a vibrant mix of residential, retail and hospitality in the CBD. This unique setting will attract current and new businesses, as well as residents and visitors, boosting our local economy and quality of life.
We need to improve the connectivity between our suburbs and address congestion by expanding Nelson's shared pathway network, particularly on Rocks Road and Tahunanui.
Our economic focus must emphasise the creation of opportunities for people young and old, through the support of innovative arts and heritage programming, furthering of formal and informal education, growing a robust and diverse job market, and encouraging technology, science, sports, tourism, and food production sectors to expand their operations in Nelson.
Working collaboratively, Nelson will shine as the best little City in New Zealand.
What makes Nelson so special for you?
Both my husband and I were born in the region and spent our formative years here. When the opportunity presented itself some 16 years ago to come back to Nelson we left the corporate lifestyle behind to bring our children back to experience and enjoy the same childhoods we’d had.
Nelson’s wonderful; it’s close to the great outdoors, has countless wonderful beaches, fabulous weather, rivers, mountains, national parks and then there’s being part of a community that’s safe and friendly.
I’ve been involved with many community organisations both in Nelson and wider afield; I like that Nelson is small enough that community contacts are truly city-wide and meaningful.
This wonderful city of ours is rich with history, art and culture, it’s so diverse and that’s one of the things I enjoy about being here, it’s colourful and welcoming. A real hothouse for technology and start-ups, and anyone with the drive to take an idea and run with it; we have some very clever people who live here and I’m sure that one of the reasons they remain here is because community is core not to mention the lifestyle!
Nelson is, I believe simply the best little city in the country.
What is your vision for the city?
My vision for Nelson is an inclusive, vibrant, intergenerational and prosperous city which recognises and reflects our rich arts and cultural heritage.
The closure of the top of Trafalgar Street provides unique opportunities to stimulate social interaction in the CBD. Nelson City further can be enhanced as a regular, year-round destination for people from across the Top of the South.
The establishment of inner-city living, and the expansion of green space has the potential to create a vibrant mix of residential, retail and hospitality in the CBD. This unique setting will attract current and new businesses, as well as residents and visitors, boosting our local economy and quality of life.
Our economic focus must emphasise the creation of opportunities for people young and old, through the support of innovative arts and heritage programming, furthering of formal and informal education, growing a robust and diverse job market, and encouraging technology, science, sports, tourism, and food production sectors to expand their operations in Nelson.
Working collaboratively, Nelson will shine as the best little City in New Zealand.