When Elise Badger returned home after living in Australia for a decade, she wanted to make a positive impact on the community.
Elise Badger wants to concentrate on her burgeoning boutique fitness business and her young family. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Local Government Elections 2025
She ran for the Cambridge Community Board under the banner ‘Committed to Cambridge’ and was duly elected.
Six years on, she is stepping down to concentrate on her business and family. The logical progression for someone as talented and skilled as her would be to stand for Waipā District Council.
To lose Badger from local government is disappointing. It is unlikely anything – more money for example – or anyone could have changed her mind.
Badger, 39, and partner Richie, a civil engineer, have three children aged 10, 6 and 10 months. Community board members get about $10,000 a year to attend monthly meetings, which start at 6pm and can last from one to four hours.
See: Your turn now ……
