Mike Montgomerie — From the farm gate to the Council table

Mike Montgomerie knows a thing or two about looking after things.

For years, that meant cows, pasture and a farm that didn’t wait around if something needed fixing. These days, the list is different: roads, water, community facilities and a district full of assets — plus rather more paperwork than he ever had on the farm.

When Mike swapped the farm for the Council table in 2022, he knew there would be a learning curve. The biggest surprise was just how much goes on behind the scenes.

“It quickly became apparent that Council manages a very large asset base with a relatively small annual budget. Farming has some similarities, but Council is next level.”

For Mike, the move wasn’t about leaving farming behind. It was about bringing the same mindset: look after what you’ve got and make decisions that stand the test of time.

“It’s important who we have acting as guardians of the assets Council looks after, and who helps guide the investments that shape the place we live.”

As the Maungatautari Ward representative, Mike is focused on balancing growth with protecting what people love about Waipā.

“Like everyone, I want to maintain the best parts of the small-town rural life as we continue to grow.”

Away from Council, Mike is still happiest outdoors — on the family farm, out on his bike or travelling and quietly assessing how other places do things.

Old habits die hard. A farmer’s eye is always looking for what’s working, what isn’t and what could be better.

Turns out, that’s not a bad skill to bring to Council.