Roger Gordon — A decade deep, still curious about Waipā

After 10 years of agendas, reports and more meetings than he’d probably care to count, Roger Gordon says the best part of the job happens away from the Council chamber.

“It’s getting out, meeting people face to face and hearing different perspectives,” he says.

Listening, talking and building relationships has been a constant throughout Roger’s career. Before local government, he worked in tourism and hospitality, including as CEO of the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce. After moving to Cambridge in 2014, he established Destination Cambridge before stepping into his Council role.

Over the past decade, Roger has had a hand in everything from plan changes and consent decisions to the early stages of Cambridge Connections — and seen firsthand the tricky balancing act between growth, infrastructure and what communities need.

As Deputy Chair of the Risk and Assurance Committee, he knows local government is facing major change. But his approach remains straightforward: listen carefully, make balanced decisions and keep local voices at the centre.

Away from Council, family is Roger’s greatest priority. He and his wife Jo recently celebrated more than 50 years together, with three children and six grandchildren spread around the world.

After a lifetime of experiences, Roger still feels lucky to call Waipā home.

“Waipā is a fantastic place to call home, and I feel privileged to serve it.”