Ashburton District Council's climate change and sustainability strategy was adopted unanimously by the councillors, including Hooper, on September 3.

But Hooper spoke against it at a candidates' event on September 15, which was hosted by Greypower Ashburton at the Ashburton Senior Centre.

“I’ve been questioning the need for the Ashburton District Council to have a climate change strategy.

“I’m not a climate change denier, but I don’t think it’s all man's fault.

“Our planet is in a warming phase, but this doesn’t seem to get a mention, I guess it doesn’t fit the narrative.”

He said he supported resilient infrastructure, but "spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on emission monitoring and reduction for the Ashburton District Council is a waste of money”.

“Stop the reports, get rid of the strategy, and put some solar panels on the library to save ratepayers some money on electricity.”

He said that New Zealand is responsible for 1.5% of global emissions and estimated that would make Ashburton 0.005%.

He also said the EA Networks Centre extension is unaffordable, with the new road to the bridge and three waters costs to pay for.

“An extension is a want and not a need. Perhaps the groups that are so desperate for an extension could get together and do some fundraising instead of sticking their hands out towards council.”

Hooper was one of the few candidates who didn’t roll out the same speech they delivered at the recent candidates' meeting in Ashburton.

Julie Moffett said she is running because “I give a hoot” and finished her speech with a jibe at mayoral candidate Jeff Ryan.

“I won’t promise the earth or the gravel extraction from the Ashburton River, but I will promise to represent your best interests”.

Ryan responded that he maintains his promise to extract gravel from the river “because if we don’t, we will flood the town”.

He also said “some of the wants I want” were referred to by mayoral rival Russell Ellis as a Christmas list, “so call me Father Christmas and I’ll grow a white beard by December”.

Ryan’s list includes a hydroslide, 10-pin bowling, trampoline park, clip climb, and the return of an i-site in Ashburton.

“I’m the guy who looks for solutions, not problems”.

Mayoral candidate Rob Mackle opted “to wing it” with his speech, focusing on his grandfather’s advice to “always farm for a tough year” and how he always works to that policy.

Ellis spoke of bring stability, sensibility and unity ,while Liz McMillan said that after six years as deputy mayor she is ready to step up.

Ashburton Ward candidate Leonard Cojacaru, who missed the earlier candidate event, said he is standing to offer someone new.

If people are complaining about the council, voters “should change some people”.

“You have the power to make changes in the council.”

Local Democracy Reporting is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air