Flooding in Tairāwhiti Gisborne thrust Rehette Stoltz into the spotlight, making her one of the country's most well known Mayors

Mayor of Tairāwhiti Gisborne reflects on floods and her journey from South Africa to one of New Zealand's most high profile mayors

Author: John Cowan,
Publish Date: Sun, 10 Apr 2022, 8:05PM

Born in South Africa, Rehette Stoltz came to New Zealand 18 years ago on her OE and never left after she fell in love with the country.

Stoltz was first elected to council in 2010 and was the highest polling city ward councillor in 2013 and 2016. She served two terms as deputy mayor, before becoming Mayor of Tairāwhiti Gisborne in 2019.

Flooding in Tairāwhiti Gisborne over recent years has thrust Rehette Stoltz into the national spotlight, making her one of the country's most well-known Mayors.

She lives in Tairāwhiti Gisborne with her husband and they have two teenage sons.