April 9, 2025 • 7 mins
Lower Hutt mayor Campbell Barry has announced he’s not seeking reelection after two terms as mayor of Hutt City.
Barry was first elected as Mayor in 2019 at 28, making him New Zealand’s youngest-ever elected mayor of a city.
He joined Nick Mills to discuss his decision, and his legacy as mayor.
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Speaker 1 (00:07):
You're listening to the Wellington Mornings podcast with Nick Mills
from News talksb.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Lower Hunt mayor Campbell Barry has announced he's not seeking
re election after two terms as mayor. Barry was first
elected as mayor in twenty nineteen at twenty eight years old,
making him New Zealand's youngest ever elected mayor of the city.
He joins us on the show Now, Good morning Campbell.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Good morning Nick. So why yeah, So for me, when
I look back at what I committed to do back
in twenty nineteen, I've been able to tick most things
off the list, particularly with the building of the nine
opool and fitness, increased focus in investment and delivery and
water infrastructure, new rubbish and recycling system, major government funding
(00:54):
in different council projects, and I think for me, the
last thing that was on my list was securing this
one point five billion dollar deal with RiverLink, which will
be transformational for Lower Hut. Now that's going to take
to eight years to actually deliver, and it feels like
it's the right time for me to be able to
go out of my terms and on a high and
pass it on to the next mayor to make that
(01:16):
happen for lower heart So it feels at the right time.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
People say that they like to go out on a
high and they want to finish.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
You know.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
It sounds like you sound a little bit like Michael Jordan,
but really, at the end of the day, people give
up when they've had enough. Have you had enough?
Speaker 3 (01:30):
No, No, not at all. I absolutely have loved the job.
There are parts of it that are challenging, and I
think that's pretty well known, particularly online and social media
and the likes. But I've loved it. It's been such
a privilege to be able to serve people. In my heart,
I've been so lucky to have their trust and confidence
over the last six years and also the nine years
(01:53):
prior to that. So for me, I've had a good stint.
That's fifteen years in total and local government, and I
think sometimes mayors or elected members try and stay too long,
and I don't want to make that same mistake and
feel like now it's a good time.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
You mentioned then you're the abuse that you take as
a mayor of a city. We talked about that in
the last hour, talking about the abuse specially of females,
but how how much of an importance was that and
you actually saying, look, this is all too much. I
don't need my family to go through this. And you know,
obviously I've had thoughts about doing stuff the same and
(02:29):
my family's always been central in that. In that as well,
how much of your family thoughts were in that abuse
of stuff that those horrible emails or the late at
night calls and people expecting you to do things whenever
they wanted you to.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
Well, it wasn't It wasn't an influence on the decision.
It's something that I'm looking forward to being able to
leave behind, that's for sure, and my family's looking forward
to that. But for me, it was genuinely around, hey,
these are the commitments I made when I stood to
be there, and I've been able to achieve them. And
now actually, hey with the next challenge, with the next
(03:05):
opportunity for myself, and I'm looking forward to being able
to do that. But I would say we do need
to have a conversation as a country around how elected
officials and those in the publics there are treated, and
particularly how they're families to treat. You know, I've certainly
not been immune to that with some of the things
that have happened, and the stories that you hear around
the country I've heard directly from me is up and down.
(03:29):
You know that it does have a real impact, and
it does have a risk of making good people not
want to serve their local communities, and that's not good
for us met all as well.
Speaker 2 (03:40):
Very few if any if any people close one door
before opening another another one being opened, or looking through
the window of the open door. You have publicly said
that you don't have anything that you're moving on to,
but you're not looking at central government right now, So
what are you going to do?
Speaker 3 (03:59):
The tricky thing is, as you were saying, when we
last met and spoke, there was a lot of something
that I was standing again. I think you actually bet
your house that I was going to stand again. So
I might have to collect on that one back.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
I did. You're right, Could you take the mortgage with it? Oh?
Speaker 3 (04:17):
No, no, Okay, you didn't say that. No, but quite genuinely,
for me, it's hard to have those conversations until you
do share this news. So my door is open. I'm
going to see what's potentially out there and where my
skills and abilities will be able to contribute. And yeah,
I have absolutely ruled out standing in the next Central
(04:38):
government election. That's not something I'm interested in at this
point in time. And I would say that I've actually
been in politics since I was nineteen years old. It's
time for me to do something else for a bit
and then maybe consider that in the future. But for me,
it's now. It's about sort of seeing what's out there
and talking to people.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
Now, you see, at this point of time, you're still
very very young man, so you're still looking at that
mountain that could be climbed in Central government. But firstly
and secondly, what are you passions? What do you want
to do? I mean, you're not going to be a
real estate agent.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
You No, you can rule that one out as well forever.
So I'm not going to be a real estate agent.
I'm really passionate about getting on top of the infrastructure
deficit we have in New Zealand, and I've been a
driver of that in our city, in our region. I'm
still really passionate and going to be passionate about water
and how we set up these new entities across New Zealand.
(05:33):
That's something I think, you know, I have a bit
to contribute towards and I'm going to have a bit
of think about that. Yeah, So I think there are
some skills and abilities that are unique to your role
as mere and we'll sort of see what comes.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
So obviously you're looking at a position in the new
infrastructure that's going to set up with water.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
I'm not necessarily I think that. I suppose. What I
would say is that I know how big of a
challenge this is for our country, and I'm all about
that bipartisan, cross party approach to infrastructure. It's the only
way we're going to be able to make traction, you know,
making sure we're not operating within three year government cycles
and terms. So I'm really passionate about helping in that space.
(06:14):
And I think, you know, I've demonstrated as a mayor
that I can work with both all colors of the House,
and we've been able to deliver something pretty cool in
Low Heart and I'd love to be able to replicate
that else with potentially.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
Are you going to endorse anyone else taking the job?
Speaker 3 (06:27):
On? No, that's sort of people of Low Heart to decide.
I'm always I always get disappointed when former mayors or
outgoing people throw their two cents and on that you
know you've decided to leave. It's now important you give
the voters space to decide on who that next mirror is.
Speaker 2 (06:45):
And just out of it, Campbell. Can I tell you
that I have always really enjoyed dealing with you. You
have always answered your phone, said, done the things that
you said you were going to do, always had total
respect for your ability as a mayor, And as far
as I'm concerned, I'd like to thank you for what
you've done, and congratulations. Congratulations as the word I want
(07:09):
to finish with, because you've done a wonderful job. You're
a wonderful human being, and all the very best in
the future. I'm sure that we'll talk in the very
very near future.
Speaker 3 (07:17):
Thank you, Nick. And it's been a privilege of my
life to serve in this role. And just to shout
out to all of your listeners and lower huts, and
I know you've got lots of them, very very grateful
and for that support and simainly the messages that have
come through. But I am reminding people I've still got
six months and I'm going to still do everything I
can to do things like land this new water entity
and a few other things as well.
Speaker 2 (07:39):
Thank you. Campbell Barry deciding not to restand, re seek,
not seek re election after two terms as mayor.
Speaker 1 (07:48):
For more from Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills, listen live
to news talks There'd Be Wellington from nine am weekdays,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Wellington Mornings podcast with Nick Mills
from News talksb.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Lower Hunt mayor Campbell Barry has announced he's not seeking
re election after two terms as mayor. Barry was first
elected as mayor in twenty nineteen at twenty eight years old,
making him New Zealand's youngest ever elected mayor of the city.
He joins us on the show Now, Good morning Campbell.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Good morning Nick. So why yeah, So for me, when
I look back at what I committed to do back
in twenty nineteen, I've been able to tick most things
off the list, particularly with the building of the nine
opool and fitness, increased focus in investment and delivery and
water infrastructure, new rubbish and recycling system, major government funding
(00:54):
in different council projects, and I think for me, the
last thing that was on my list was securing this
one point five billion dollar deal with RiverLink, which will
be transformational for Lower Hut. Now that's going to take
to eight years to actually deliver, and it feels like
it's the right time for me to be able to
go out of my terms and on a high and
pass it on to the next mayor to make that
(01:16):
happen for lower heart So it feels at the right time.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
People say that they like to go out on a
high and they want to finish.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
You know.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
It sounds like you sound a little bit like Michael Jordan,
but really, at the end of the day, people give
up when they've had enough. Have you had enough?
Speaker 3 (01:30):
No, No, not at all. I absolutely have loved the job.
There are parts of it that are challenging, and I
think that's pretty well known, particularly online and social media
and the likes. But I've loved it. It's been such
a privilege to be able to serve people. In my heart,
I've been so lucky to have their trust and confidence
over the last six years and also the nine years
(01:53):
prior to that. So for me, I've had a good stint.
That's fifteen years in total and local government, and I
think sometimes mayors or elected members try and stay too long,
and I don't want to make that same mistake and
feel like now it's a good time.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
You mentioned then you're the abuse that you take as
a mayor of a city. We talked about that in
the last hour, talking about the abuse specially of females,
but how how much of an importance was that and
you actually saying, look, this is all too much. I
don't need my family to go through this. And you know,
obviously I've had thoughts about doing stuff the same and
(02:29):
my family's always been central in that. In that as well,
how much of your family thoughts were in that abuse
of stuff that those horrible emails or the late at
night calls and people expecting you to do things whenever
they wanted you to.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
Well, it wasn't It wasn't an influence on the decision.
It's something that I'm looking forward to being able to
leave behind, that's for sure, and my family's looking forward
to that. But for me, it was genuinely around, hey,
these are the commitments I made when I stood to
be there, and I've been able to achieve them. And
now actually, hey with the next challenge, with the next
(03:05):
opportunity for myself, and I'm looking forward to being able
to do that. But I would say we do need
to have a conversation as a country around how elected
officials and those in the publics there are treated, and
particularly how they're families to treat. You know, I've certainly
not been immune to that with some of the things
that have happened, and the stories that you hear around
the country I've heard directly from me is up and down.
(03:29):
You know that it does have a real impact, and
it does have a risk of making good people not
want to serve their local communities, and that's not good
for us met all as well.
Speaker 2 (03:40):
Very few if any if any people close one door
before opening another another one being opened, or looking through
the window of the open door. You have publicly said
that you don't have anything that you're moving on to,
but you're not looking at central government right now, So
what are you going to do?
Speaker 3 (03:59):
The tricky thing is, as you were saying, when we
last met and spoke, there was a lot of something
that I was standing again. I think you actually bet
your house that I was going to stand again. So
I might have to collect on that one back.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
I did. You're right, Could you take the mortgage with it? Oh?
Speaker 3 (04:17):
No, no, Okay, you didn't say that. No, but quite genuinely,
for me, it's hard to have those conversations until you
do share this news. So my door is open. I'm
going to see what's potentially out there and where my
skills and abilities will be able to contribute. And yeah,
I have absolutely ruled out standing in the next Central
(04:38):
government election. That's not something I'm interested in at this
point in time. And I would say that I've actually
been in politics since I was nineteen years old. It's
time for me to do something else for a bit
and then maybe consider that in the future. But for me,
it's now. It's about sort of seeing what's out there
and talking to people.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
Now, you see, at this point of time, you're still
very very young man, so you're still looking at that
mountain that could be climbed in Central government. But firstly
and secondly, what are you passions? What do you want
to do? I mean, you're not going to be a
real estate agent.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
You No, you can rule that one out as well forever.
So I'm not going to be a real estate agent.
I'm really passionate about getting on top of the infrastructure
deficit we have in New Zealand, and I've been a
driver of that in our city, in our region. I'm
still really passionate and going to be passionate about water
and how we set up these new entities across New Zealand.
(05:33):
That's something I think, you know, I have a bit
to contribute towards and I'm going to have a bit
of think about that. Yeah, So I think there are
some skills and abilities that are unique to your role
as mere and we'll sort of see what comes.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
So obviously you're looking at a position in the new
infrastructure that's going to set up with water.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
I'm not necessarily I think that. I suppose. What I
would say is that I know how big of a
challenge this is for our country, and I'm all about
that bipartisan, cross party approach to infrastructure. It's the only
way we're going to be able to make traction, you know,
making sure we're not operating within three year government cycles
and terms. So I'm really passionate about helping in that space.
(06:14):
And I think, you know, I've demonstrated as a mayor
that I can work with both all colors of the House,
and we've been able to deliver something pretty cool in
Low Heart and I'd love to be able to replicate
that else with potentially.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
Are you going to endorse anyone else taking the job?
Speaker 3 (06:27):
On? No, that's sort of people of Low Heart to decide.
I'm always I always get disappointed when former mayors or
outgoing people throw their two cents and on that you
know you've decided to leave. It's now important you give
the voters space to decide on who that next mirror is.
Speaker 2 (06:45):
And just out of it, Campbell. Can I tell you
that I have always really enjoyed dealing with you. You
have always answered your phone, said, done the things that
you said you were going to do, always had total
respect for your ability as a mayor, And as far
as I'm concerned, I'd like to thank you for what
you've done, and congratulations. Congratulations as the word I want
(07:09):
to finish with, because you've done a wonderful job. You're
a wonderful human being, and all the very best in
the future. I'm sure that we'll talk in the very
very near future.
Speaker 3 (07:17):
Thank you, Nick. And it's been a privilege of my
life to serve in this role. And just to shout
out to all of your listeners and lower huts, and
I know you've got lots of them, very very grateful
and for that support and simainly the messages that have
come through. But I am reminding people I've still got
six months and I'm going to still do everything I
can to do things like land this new water entity
and a few other things as well.
Speaker 2 (07:39):
Thank you. Campbell Barry deciding not to restand, re seek,
not seek re election after two terms as mayor.
Speaker 1 (07:48):
For more from Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills, listen live
to news talks There'd Be Wellington from nine am weekdays,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
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