In 2019, Tina Nixon brandished a chainsaw in her bid for Masterton's mayoralty with the slogan "slash the rates" splashed on billboards that captured the nation's attention.
William Izard's campaign poster. Photo: SUPPLIED
Quirky campaign photos of Masterton mayoral candidate Tina Nixon. Photo: Amber Griffin
Now donning a sword in her 2022 campaign, she's taking aim at central government-imposed reforms, promising to be a "powerful voice" for the provincial district of Masterton.
Nixon, who was unsuccessful in her first bid at the top spot but was elected to council, is vying for the mayoralty only this time around.
"We need someone who can advocate, negotiate, and lead the charge to get a better funding deal from central government.
"As I have said in the past, that's the only real way we have a chance of reducing rates."
She joins other Masterton mayoral candidates Gary Caffell, Craig Bowyer, Jo Hayes, and William Izard.
Nixon's campaign photo, taken by her son's partner Amber Griffin, was inspired by the hit fantasy drama television series Game of Thrones.
A well-known line from the show is "winter is coming", which means something bad is going to happen.
Nixon drew a parallel with the line and the state of local and central government.
But "winter is here", she said.
"The current model for local government is not sustainable, and the biggest issue is funding," she said.
"Currently local councils deliver 52 percent of public services on 12 percent of the budget."
She said with 2023 being the general election year, it was a chance to get all political parties to agree to change the funding model for local government - "it's the only way to reduce rates".
"We also need a strong powerful voice to call time on the erosion of our democratic rights and institutions, like Three Waters.
William Izard's campaign poster. Photo: SUPPLIED
"We will not let up until we have all parties signed up to a new local government funding agreement.
"I will work with other councils, as I have shown with promoting our membership of the Councils 4 Local Democracy, to set out a good plan for increased government funding for councils."
Nixon's mayoral campaign is not the only quirky one in Masterton.
Fellow candidate William Izard "W.Izard" is making the most of his name, asking residents and ratepayers to vote for The Wizard this upcoming election.
Local Democracy Reporting is Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air