This is a personal reflection about someone I admire. I’ve watched, worked with, and competed against Damon Harvey extensively for about 15 years. I think I have a sound firsthand sense of his values, work ethic and capabilities.

His devotion to Hastings and ‘Backing the Bay’ has been relentless. He’s involved himself apolitically in numerous community projects – usually in leadership roles – from sport and fitness to mental health, suicide prevention and more ... because he cares.

In his councillor role, I’ve seen him repeatedly go to bat, publicly and privately, when in his judgment the council has got it wrong. He is clued in to the infirmities of a large council bureaucracy and tough enough to deal with them.

I know him as an accessible, well-grounded and experienced leader who cares deeply about the challenges facing the Hastings community, but importantly, who is also inspiringly optimistic about the District’s potential and with the ‘can do’ style needed to keep Hastings moving forward.

The Hastings mayoral contest has two other worthy competitors, so I can understand why each would have appeal. But based on my personal experiences with Damon over the years, he has my vote for Hastings mayor.

The exigency of voting in a mayor with unprecedented foresight,  extraordinary  business acumen and poised  people mastery is upon us.  We risk falling into a deluge of uncertainty and  escalating ratepayer warfare if we don’t!   I value  the privilege to vote and be informed accordingly hence Damon Harvey is unequivocally my choice for mayor.   If you want to get a sense of the man go online and read the Profit magazines or better still attend one of the mayoralty debates for an informed decision.  Our future requires an efficacious decision, DAMON HARVEY for mayor.

Approachable, articulate, and fiercely committed, Damon isn’t afraid to ruffle feathers when it matters. With his finger on the pulse at HDC, HBRC, and across our business and community networks, he’ll bring practical, results-driven leadership that delivers for ratepayers.

I worked closely with Damon for a number of years when he was Chair of the Board of Sport Hawke’s Bay.  His passion for sport and physical activity is obvious and he is always a strong advocate for the sport and recreation community.  Damon is a creative thinker who genuinely wants the best outcomes for Hastings and for the Hawke’s Bay region.  Based on my experience of working with him, I have no doubt that as Mayor Damon would work very hard and collaborate well with Councillors and council staff to achieve great outcomes for Hastings.

When our Parkvale community was blindsided by plans from Kainga Ora and their developers to demolish two solid homes on Ada Street and replace them with ten units—without any public consultation—Damon Harvey stepped up. From day one, Damon was present, responsive, and engaged. He attended our public meetings, gave us sound advice, and helped us navigate the maze of council planning processes. His knowledge of how things work behind the scenes was a huge asset as we organised our response. With strong community opposition and support from people like Damon, the developer eventually withdrew and sold the properties to Kainga Ora. They’re now occupied by two local families—exactly the kind of outcome we’d pushed for from the start. Damon didn’t just show up for the photo op—he stuck with us, offered real support, and helped get a result. That’s the kind of representation every community deserves. Mark Sowman, on behalf of the Parkvale Community Group

I worked alongside Damon as a fellow Councillor for 8 years on the Hastings District Council. Damon is a strategic thinker who has been a passionate advocate for the business and sports communities, in particular, along with many other sectors of our community. He has integrity, empathy and vision. I have admired his transparent communication with his constituents over the years, ensuring everyone is fully informed regarding council processes and outcomes. I wish him all the best in his endeavours and sincerely hope he is mayor in October as we need well rounded, experienced people like Damon making the important decisions which impact on our daily lives and our district’s economy. Therefore I have no hesitation in giving him my full support.

I’ve watched Damon pour his heart and skills into creating a magazine which champions our local businesses, his time into working tirelessly for local sporting organisations and his love into his friends and family, who he lives and breathes for. It was the most natural move for him to begin working as a local councillor, for him to stand for our people and our city, to ask the hard questions and to push for fairness and justice from our authorities. He has an unstoppably professional work ethic, is someone who listens to every side of an issue with real intent and purpose, and I can’t think of anyone better to lead Hastings as our next Mayor.  

Hastings is amazing but it has so much more potential. To tap into that potential we need a leader with drive, experience and energy. You’d be hard pressed to find someone with a more passionate vision for Hastings than Damon Harvey, as our next mayor. He’s proved his heart is here, he’s used his voice for the greater good and he’s committed to support local businesses and the economy.

I have had the pleasure of knowing Damon Harvey for the past nine years. For six of those years we sat along side each other as Councillors for the Hastings/Havelock Ward of the Hastings District Council. There are so many things that impress me about Damon. He is a proud Hastings man through and through, having completed all his education firstly at Flaxmere Primary then Mahora,  Parkvale, and Hastings Intermediate followed by Hastings Boys’ High School. Having previously worked in Havelock North he is therefore intimately connected with every corner of Hastings. He is literally a self made man, having built up a successful business which has tightly connected him with the whole gamut of Hastings’ businesses and industries. He has a total understanding of Hastings people; what matters to them, what they value, how they live and how they play. He knows the reality of family life and the struggles that many in our community grapple with. The ‘reach’ that Damon has is immense. He is a keen sportsman and consequently is the ultimate team player, however he is also not afraid to ruffle a few feathers and ask the hard questions. Damon is passionate, approachable and articulate and possessed of a fine sense of humour. He can relate to people from all walks of life and is a strong advocate for our city and district. He has my full support as mayor.    

I have real pleasure in fully endorsing Damon Harvey in the up-coming Local Authority elections as the next mayor of Hastings. He is one of the younger emerging leaders of the District, having demonstrated his leadership skills of an organisation during his maximum 9 years tenure as Chair of Sport Hawke's Bay. Damon well understands the fiscal challenges Hastings District Council and other NZ Councils face today in delivering the range of services required by their citizens. He is a pragmatist and has a balanced approach to best meeting all the current fiscal challenges, whilst having a visionary mind for the needed mid to longer term solutions. In summary, Damon has all the experience over 8 years as a Hastings District Councillor, along with the skill sets to successfully lead an energetic visionary thinking Council into a vibrant and sustainable future.

I am 110% in support of Damon’s candidacy for Mayor. Damon is an experienced and proven performer.  He is an outstanding communicator who relates extremely well with people from all walks of life. He has real strengths in strategic planning and very strong connections with both our economic and business communities. Damon also has the energy, the drive and the passion to ensure that Heretaunga / Hastings will continue to be the powerhouse of Hawke’s Bay. I have been very impressed at his ability to sense where there is a need and give it his whole- hearted support.  Mates 4 Life is just one example of his prowess in this area. I make these comments after nine year’s experience working alongside Damon when he was Chair of Sport Hawke’s Bay and more importantly as a Councillor colleague.

My contact with Damon goes back more than 15 years. We have developed a professional relationship, and as a constituent, I have been following his public service on the Hastings District Council. His work through the Profit magazine and other endeavours has benefited many businesses throughout the region. From acting as a sounding board to developing marketing strategies and other initiatives, Damon has helped many individuals formulate ideas, branch out in new directions, and transform our region along the way. As a public servant, Damon isn’t afraid to be transparent with his constituents and others when it would be far easier to keep silent. Silence is the catalyst for the erosion of trust and integrity. Trust and integrity are key pillars when working with others with whom you may disagree. Finding common ground on key issues stands on the trust that you are true to your word, and the integrity that you are willing to work beyond disagreements for the good of the community. Damon has earned and demonstrated both. To my knowledge, Damon has attended every council meeting, cast every council vote, and attended most council events. Damon lives what he espouses. Hastings has much to offer, and he seeks to see that flourish.

We have had an over two year battle just to get HDC to do their job - we had zero traction until Damon got involved - I can only assume the inside persuasion and diplomacy involved, and we are grateful! I am confident Damon will continue to hunt for and implement best practice, and support ratepayers through pragmatic process change.  I wholly endorsing Damon for mayor.

"I've known Damon for a long time; he's been an unwavering advocate for Hawke's Bay. His balanced focus across business, sport, and media truly sets him apart, bringing immense energy and support to our community.

Damon's integrity is remarkable. He sticks to his beliefs and excels at bringing people together. The Profit business magazine and The Profit Unleashed business events perfectly showcases this, elevating our region's businesses and inspiring countless others. He builds respected platforms and launches successful ventures, consistently lifting the bar.

His understanding of our community means he'll hit the ground running as a councillor. Damon's focus on GDP and innovation is exactly what Hawke's Bay needs for future prosperity. He has my full support for mayor of Hastings."

I reached out to Damon a couple of years ago with a Council related matter. He was quick to respond, willing to help, and his intervention was pivotal in achieving a positive resolution that had a significant impact on our situation. Damon is approachable and a great communicator. He clearly has an ability to connect with individuals across diverse backgrounds, and in my experience, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a dedication to our community. Damon's successful Unleashed events this year have illustrated his ambition and forward-thinking approach, and he’s clear advocate for the success of Hawkes Bay, its people, and businesses. His commitment to personal health and wellbeing resonates with me and it’s an important component of life and leadership that is rarely promoted in his capacity. I am confident that Damon will continue to drive meaningful change, and I express my strong support for Damon in his re-election campaign for the Council.

I have known Damon Harvey for many years and upon returning to Hawke’s Bay with my family I sought a position on the board of Sport HB of which Damon is Chairman. Damon was an exceptional Chair. He doesn’t shy away from the difficult decisions or conversations that need to be had and makes sure that all points of view around the table are given an opportunity to be heard.

Damon has been instrumental in recruiting a youth voice for the board, something I see as vital across many areas of governance. Damon has a strong relationship with our very capable CEO and this makes being a member of the board chaired by him both stimulating and rewarding.

I have known Damon Harvey for over 20 years in his role as our Marketing agent for Cottages NZ.

In that time he has provided his skills and guidance to our business, including encouragement to enter the HB Chamber of Commerce Business awards that led our business to success in 2006 and 2007. His ability to listen and then convert our ideas into practice has been a commending attribute to the skills he has.

Damon has always been a supporter of new initiatives and ideas that is pertinent to the potential leader of our community. He is able to converse with all members of the community from business owners through to the Sporting Community and families of all walks in life.

I have seen Damon develop professionally in the various roles he undertakes with community interests such as Sport Hawkes Bay,  Jarrod Cunningham Youth Sports Trust - etc outside of Council.

Damon has strong relationships in the business community and has the ability to extract the relevant information from people and then to provide the relevant solutions/ options to be considered when solving a problem.

I have no doubt that Damon has the skills and experience to be Mayor Hastings.

John Roil - Hastings business owner and former Hastings District councillor