Taupō voters are about to make a big choice for mayor. Yes, David Trewavas is running again. After nearly two decades in the role, most people know exactly what he represents. This piece isn’t about him. It’s about the three challengers who could reshape the direction of council: Kevin Taylor, Zane Cozens, and John Funnell.
Kevin Taylor – The Continuity Candidate
Kevin’s pitch is built on authority, experience, and conservative values. After 44 years in the police (the last 15 in senior leadership), plus three years as deputy mayor under David Trewavas, he frames himself as the steady pair of hands. His campaign material leans heavily on his service record, overseas deployments, and “leadership with integrity.”
But look closely:
His messaging is values-first, policy-second. Lots of “consistency, conservative approach, integrity” very little detail on rates, housing, or infrastructure.
When asked directly on Facebook whether he supports Māori wards, he didn’t give a yes or no. Instead: “I’ll be posting a message on this shortly.” That’s classic cautious politics, waiting until the words are safe.
His campaign videos are polished, filmed in a professional lakefront office (linked to business networks in Taupō). It’s slick, but it raises questions about relationships and influence.
And while he presents himself as steady, his style can come across as bullish and authoritarian. In meetings he’s known for cutting people off or shutting questions down. The risk for voters is that a Taylor mayoralty could feel less like collaborative leadership and more like top-down control. For some, that’s reassuring. For others, it raises the worry of a council chamber where dissent is silenced rather than debated.
Verdict: Kevin offers familiarity and continuity. For voters who want minimal change and strong authority, he’s the option. For those wanting vision, detail, or open debate, he may feel heavy-handed.
Zane Cozens – The Insider Reformer
Zane is the only candidate with actual council experience (apart from Kevin), and that makes him the pragmatist of the bunch. As a former district councillor, he knows how the sausage gets made: the endless workshops, the way votes are stitched together, and how much power actually rests with the chief executive rather than the mayor.
He’s put forward a 100-day plan something you usually see in national politics, not council campaigns. It includes:
Independent reviews into council costs.
Rate freezes in certain areas.
Dashboards so ratepayers can actually see progress.
A push for more transparency around council decision-making.
It’s ambitious and detailed, but here’s the catch: the mayor can’t wave a wand and make staff comply. The CE runs operations. Zane knows this (he’s been in the room), but the risk is that voters expect fireworks in 100 days when the machinery of council just doesn’t move that fast.
Still, his plan shows thinking, structure, and urgency. He represents the “change from within” option, not burning the house down, but rewiring it.
Verdict: Zane is the “ready on day one” candidate. He brings process, energy, and a reformer’s mindset, but the delivery speed may not match the campaign pace.
John Funnell – The Outsider Disruptor
John’s brand is built on being an outsider businessman and helicopter rescue pilot. His story has all the hallmarks of Taupō grit: small-town operator, hands-on work ethic, and someone who has literally flown into crises to save lives. That image of service and independence plays well with people who distrust “career politicians.”
His campaign promises are simple and sharp:
Cap rates.
Cut council waste.
Treat ratepayers as customers, not cash machines.
For frustrated households and businesses staring down rising costs, that’s an easy sell.
But here’s the reality: being mayor isn’t the same as running a business. Council law (Local Government Act, section 42) gives the chief executive control over staff, spending, and most day-to-day decisions. Outsiders who come in hot with private-sector logic often crash into bureaucracy. Without experience, John risks underestimating just how slowly and stubbornly local government moves.
He’s also not as “outsider” as he first appears. John has long been friends with David Trewavas, and at one point there was even talk of him being positioned as a “split-the-vote” option. He saw through it, though, and chose to run on his own terms. That shows both his connections and his independence, tied to the old guard, but not willing to play anyone’s pawn.
Verdict: John is the “fresh eyes” candidate. He brings boldness, simplicity, and a rescue-pilot’s decisiveness. But he’ll face steep learning curves and the constraints of a system designed to resist quick fixes.
The Choice in Front of Us
Kevin Taylor: continuity, strong authority, conservative values, but risks top-down control.
Zane Cozens: insider reform, detailed plans, risks over-promising.
John Funnell: outsider disruption, sharp pledges, but no council grounding.
In Taupō, no one runs in a vacuum. It’s a town where everyone’s connected through business, friendship, or old council networks. That doesn’t mean the choices are meaningless. But it does mean voters should look past the slogans and ask: whose connections, whose style, and whose networks will really shape the next three years?
Sometimes elections aren’t about left or right they’re about style. And in this case, each candidate’s style might matter more than their slogans.
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