Craig Jepson

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.