ACT Local has selected Malcolm Taylor, an experienced electricity sector professional with nearly five decades in the industry, as its candidate for the Marlborough Sounds Ward in the upcoming Marlborough District Council election.

Malcolm worked in the electricity industry from 1972 to 2020, primarily in operations and control, with additional expertise in hydrology and climate. A passionate motorcyclist with a focus on long-distance endurance riding, he’s also an experienced pilot — both powered and glider, and more recently, a keen yachtsman. His community service began with Jaycees and continued through the Lions Club in Alexandra. With a wealth of technical knowledge and a long-standing commitment to service, Malcolm is standing to bring real-world experience, local insight, and common sense back into council decision-making.

“I’m standing to help prioritise council spending and keep rate rises in line with inflation. My focus is clear: people first — with reliable sewage, water treatment, health, welfare, and flood protection. Next comes core infrastructure like roads, wharves, marinas, parking, and community facilities. And finally, the environment — through sensible monitoring of river flows, water and air quality. Ratepayers deserve a council that gets the basics right and spends wisely.” – Malcom Taylor

Earlier this year, ACT New Zealand announced it would be standing Common Sense Candidates for local government for the first time — after hearing from New Zealanders across the country who are sick of rising rates, ballooning budgets, and councils that ignore the basics while chasing ideological vanity projects.

When you vote ACT Local, you know what you're getting:

• Fixing the basics
• Cutting the waste
• Ending race-based politics
• Restoring accountability

ACT Local Government spokesperson Cameron Luxton says:

*“*ACT Local candidates are community-minded Kiwis who’ve had enough of wasteful councils treating ratepayers like ATMs. It’s time to take control on behalf of ratepayers — to restore accountability and deliver real value for money. ACT Local is about getting the basics right: maintaining roads, keeping streets clean, and respecting the people who pay the bills. Our candidates won’t divide people by race or get distracted by climate vanity projects. They’re here to serve, not lecture."