Craig Jepson

His Worship
Craig Jepson
7th Mayor of Kaipara
Incumbent
Assumed office
2022
Preceded byJason Smith
Personal details
Born
Craig Eldon Jepson

1957 or 1958 (age 66–67)
OccupationBusinessman

Craig Eldon Jepson (born 1957 or 1958)[1] is a New Zealand local politician who is the mayor of Kaipara District in New Zealand's Northland Region. During the 2000s, Jepson served as a spokesperson for Olivine NZ's unsuccessful attempt to convert the former coal-powered Meremere Power Station in the north Waikato, New Zealand into a waste-to-energy station. Jepson later moved to Mangawhai where he established a concrete business that was involved in local rural and urban development.[2] In October 2022, Jepson was elected mayor of Kaipara.[3] As mayor, Jepson attracted media coverage following his attempt to ban karakia (Māori prayers) from council proceedings, which he subsequently reversed following significant criticism from the public and fellow councillors.[4][5]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference NA 26 Oct 2022 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Kaipara Mayoral candidates: Their top local issues and how they would address them". Radio New Zealand. 19 September 2022. Archived from the original on 21 September 2022. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  3. ^ Killick, Jonathan (8 October 2022). "Three new mayors for Northland councils, including Whangārei". Stuff. Archived from the original on 1 December 2022. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  4. ^ Iasona, Seni; Heikell, Leighton (30 November 2022). "Video: Newly-elected Kaipara Mayor Craig Jepson shuts down Councillor's karakia request". Newshub. Warner Bros. Discovery New Zealand. Archived from the original on 30 November 2022. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  5. ^ "Kaipara mayor unbans karakia from council meetings". Radio New Zealand. 8 December 2022. Archived from the original on 15 December 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2023.