Alex Walker has officially announced her re-election campaign for the position of Central Hawke’s Bay Mayor in the 2025 local elections. If successful, Walker will be seeking a fourth term in office, continuing the leadership she has provided to the region since her first election.

In 2022, Walker was re-elected unopposed, marking her third term in the role. This year, however, she faces a challenge from local farmer and resident Will Foley. Walker expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming election, stating she looks forward to a "robust debate" on key issues affecting the community.

“Every day, I feel privileged to serve as mayor and help bring about positive outcomes for our people,” Walker said. “Our biggest challenge right now is how to fund the infrastructure and services our community needs and deserves without placing undue strain on local households.”

Walker emphasized that the solution lies not in quick fixes or easy slogans, but in continuing the hard work already underway. She highlighted the importance of making the council more efficient, building partnerships, and finding smart, realistic solutions to complex problems.

“I won’t pretend the next steps will be easy. Some choices will be tough. And when things feel overwhelming, it’s tempting to pull back and go it alone,” she said. “But that’s not how we move forward. I’ve led a team that makes the hard decisions when it counts—and always puts our community in the driver’s seat.”

A mother of three teenage daughters, Walker is deeply embedded in the community. She balances her responsibilities with her role as a musical director and as a trumpet and piano player. Her partner, Billy, is an agricultural contractor currently busy with seasonal farming duties.

Walker also highlighted the importance of having strong, open-minded problem-solvers in local government. “Local government is all about putting a problem on the table and elected members solving it. The issues we deal with are broad and complex. I want to encourage everyone to think about who we need around the council table.”

With the introduction of new at-large councillors, a Māori ward for the first time, and local ward representatives, Walker believes the council needs a team that truly reflects the diversity of the Central Hawke’s Bay community.

As the 2025 local elections approach, Walker’s re-election bid is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for the region. Voters will have the opportunity to decide on the future direction of local governance and the kind of leadership they want to see in the years ahead.