About Wendy Schollum
Born in Flaxmere, raised in Havelock North, and now raising my own family in Hastings, I know and love this district. Hastings needs a Mayor who can be trusted to lead through tough times, bring people together, and get things done
For years I’ve been taking action, not just sitting at the Council table: steering cyclone recovery, securing safe water, standing up on issues like elder abuse, youth vaping, and litter, and creating space for seniors, young people, and new communities to have their voices heard. My record combines proven leadership, deep community connection, over 20 years of business know-how, and fair, independent decision-making.
Above all, I never forget who I’m here to serve: the people of Hastings.
Proven leadership that delivers for Hastings…
Real results, not just titles.
Trusted to lead through tough times - delivering safer homes, fairer bills, and a stronger future for Hastings.
Over the past eight years, I’ve been trusted to chair some of the biggest committees shaping Hastings’ future - not just holding the title, but delivering results that protect households and strengthen our community:
Chair, Strategy and Recovery Committee
Trusted to lead the approach to Hastings’ $1 billon cyclone recovery, negotiating down our share of costs, finding savings, and protecting households from being asked to carry more than they should, while keeping the rebuild moving quickly and safely.Past Chair, District Development Committee
Steered housing and water solutions at a time of real crisis. This included the $100+ million safe drinking water programme so families could trust their taps again, and a Place-Based Housing Plan that cut the number of families in emergency housing by more than 75%.Past Chair, Community Wellbeing Committee
Oversaw initiatives that gave hundreds of young people a pathway into training and jobs. For families, that’s fewer kids falling through the cracks; for employers, access to keen local workers; and for the community, safer streets and stronger futures.
Grounded in our community.
Decisions are better when they’re shaped by real lives, not just reports. That’s why I’ve stood alongside seniors, young people, businesses, and diverse communities to make sure council reflects Hastings as it really is.
My work with local groups keeps council grounded in the everyday realities of Hastings families:
Positive Ageing Trust (Chair, 7 years) – seniors on fixed incomes helped drive my push to keep rates affordable and fight for stronger laws to prevent elder abuse, so older people feel safe, valued, and secure.
Multicultural Advisory Group (Chair, 3 years) – building welcoming communities where new migrants can settle easily while sharing cultures that enrich us all, making Hastings stronger and more vibrant.
Disability Reference Group liaison – pushing for changes to the Building Code so new homes and facilities are accessible, ensuring our district works for everyone, regardless of ability.
Youth Council liaison (7 years) – backing young people to have a real say in council decisions. Hastings now leads the way nationally with youth representatives on every subcommittee.
Business Associations advisor (Hastings & Havelock North) – supporting local businesses to keep town centres vibrant, create local jobs, and strengthen the rates base so households don’t carry the burden alone.
Fighting for Hastings.
Some issues sit outside the day-to-day business of council, but when our people are affected, I’ve never hesitated to step up and stand with the community.
Transparency in council – fought to have meetings live-streamed so every ratepayer can see how decisions are made.
Tackling youth vaping – stood alongside our community to demand tighter rules on vape stores, protecting the health of our rangatahi.
Stopping elder abuse – raised the alarm nationally and met with ministers to push for stronger laws that keep older people safe.
Homes for all ages and abilities – pushed for Building Code changes so new homes are accessible and allow more people to age in place.
Cleaner streets – led an anti-litter campaign that won national recognition, reducing waste and saving ratepayers money on constant clean-ups.
Defending safe spaces – stood up when Rainbow Storytime was targeted, making it clear everyone deserves to feel visible, safe, and respected in our community.
Hastings needs a Mayor who doesn’t just sit in the chair. I’ve proven I’ll step up, speak out, and fight for the changes that keep our community safe, fair, and affordable.
Proven in business.
Running a business teaches lessons a council can’t afford to ignore: manage money wisely, create opportunities, and innovate to get results. I’ve been in business for more than 20 years, and those lessons shape the way I approach every decision.
Before stepping into council, I built businesses here in Hawke’s Bay, starting my first company at just 23. Running a business means being accountable every single day: you can’t spend what you don’t have, and you have to deliver value or people walk away.
Founder of Xplore
For over a decade I grew a tech company from scratch at 23, creating dozens of local jobs and delivering award-winning campaigns for hundreds of clients here in Hawke’s Bay, across New Zealand, and internationally. That taught me how to stretch every dollar and focus on outcomes, not waste.Owner of Upstart Media
I ran the only nationally distributed children’s magazine produced in New Zealand, giving young people a platform and celebrating their success stories. This showed me the power of connecting communities and amplifying local voices.
Hastings needs a Mayor who treats ratepayer money with the same care as a household or business budget, and knows how to turn tight resources into real results.
Independent, fair decision-making.
Big decisions on housing, growth, and the environment have lasting impacts on Hastings families. They need to be made fairly, transparently, and without politics getting in the way.
That’s why I became a certified Resource Management Act Commissioner with a chair endorsement - a qualification that means I can chair hearings panels and make decisions in a judge-like role. It requires weighing evidence, balancing different views, and ensuring natural justice is upheld.
What this means for you:
Protects your pocket – robust decisions avoid costly legal battles ratepayers would otherwise fund.
Protects our community – growth is managed responsibly so new housing and development strengthen Hastings without undermining what makes it special.
Protects trust – every voice is heard, and outcomes are based on evidence, not politics.
Hastings needs a Mayor who can weigh tough choices with independence and fairness, making decisions you can trust.
Every part of my journey - chairing major committees, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with community groups, fighting for local change, running businesses, and serving as an independent commissioner - has been about one thing…