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Draft:Wendy Schollum

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Wendy Schollum
Hastings District Councillor
In office
November 2017 – Present
Preceded byAdrienne Pierce
Personal details
BornHastings
Children2
ProfessionEntrepreneur, Local Government Councillor, and Community Advocate

Wendy Schollum (born 1981) is a New Zealand entrepreneur, local government councillor, and advocate for community well-being, particularly in elder care, youth representation, and inclusivity. She has been a prominent public figure in the Hawke's Bay region, leveraging her governance, business, and advocacy experience to contribute to local and national discussions on issues such as cyclone recovery, housing, and elder abuse prevention.

Career

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Entrepreneurial Ventures

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  • Xplore.Net Solutions Ltd - Co-founded on 27 January 2006[1][2], Xplore.Net Solutions Ltd specialised in software development and web strategy. The company gained recognition for delivering innovative web solutions, with Schollum described as a leader in the digital transformation space. In 2017, Schollum sold Xplore.Net's client base and ceased its operation as a web company[3] to focus on her growing roles in local governance and community advocacy.
  • Upstart Media Ltd - Co-founded on 22 September 2015[4], Upstart Media Ltd was the company behind Upstart Magazine and Upstart Online[5]. Upstart Magazine was New Zealand's only locally produced and nationally distributed publication targeting boys and girls aged 3–12 years. Distributed bi-monthly, it reached over 30,000 households per edition, with an estimated audience of 150,000 children. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, the publication became a valuable resource for home learning, supporting schools and parents across the country.

Columnist

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From 2006 to 2011, Schollum authored the "Power of the Web" column in the Hawke's Bay Today newspaper. Her writings focused on digital trends, web strategy, and the evolving role of technology in business.

Notable articles include:


Local Government and Governance

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Schollum was first elected to the Hastings District Council in 2017[6] and has since become a significant figure in local governance.

Leadership Roles

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  • Chair of Strategy and Recovery Committee [7] - Appointed following Cyclone Gabrielle, where she played a role in coordinating the district’s recovery efforts.
  • Chair of the Positive Ageing Trust Hawke’s Bay [8] - Advocating for elder well-being and legislative changes to protect against elder abuse.
  • Certified RMA Commissioner [9] - Schollum is a certified Resource Management Act (RMA) Commissioner[10] with a chair endorsement. Outside of her council role, she sits on resource consent and district plan hearings, contributing her expertise to complex environmental and planning decisions.

Advocacy

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  • Elder Abuse Prevention
    • Advocated for mandatory reporting of elder abuse[11].
    • Published opinion pieces highlighting the prevalence of elder abuse and the need for systemic change[12].
  • Youth Representation
    • Hastings District Youth Council liaison since 2020[13].
    • Supported the Hastings Youth Council’s initiative to secure speaking rights on council subcommittees[14].
  • Cyclone Recovery
    • Opposed Hastings District Council covering demolition costs for cyclone-affected residents when their insurance already provided coverage, ensuring fairness for ratepayers[15].
  • Financial Stewardship
    • Advocated for responsible council spending, including cost-effective infrastructure projects[16].
    • Opposed the Hastings Hub initiative, citing concerns over its financial justification and effectiveness in supporting local businesses[17].
  • Transparency and Governance
    • Supported an independent investigation into a leak regarding a proposed water museum, emphasising accountability and transparency in governance[18].
    • Advocated for live streaming of council meetings to improve accessibility and transparency[19].
  • Health Advocacy
    • Supported stricter vaping regulations to address youth nicotine addiction[20].
    • Proposed changes to alcohol laws to reduce harm caused by excessive availability[21].


Speculation About Political Future

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In 2024, Schollum was the subject of public speculation regarding her potential candidacy for the Hastings District mayoralty in 2025. Media coverage highlighted her leadership roles and advocacy as key factors in the discussion[22] [23].

Recognition and Awards

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Named one of the "10 Power Women in the Bay" by The Profit magazine in 2011 for her influence in business and community leadership[24].

Personal Life

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Schollum is married and has two school-aged children[25], a fact that reflects her connection to family-oriented issues and informs her advocacy for inclusivity and community well-being. She has actively supported minority communities, including the LGBTQ+ community[26] and Māori[27]. Notable instances include her defense of the Rainbow Storytime event amidst backlash from Destiny Church[28]. As a member of the Hastings District Disability Reference Group, Schollum advocates for improved accessibility and services for disabled individuals. This work ties closely to her leadership of the Positive Ageing Trust, addressing shared challenges faced by seniors and disabled communities. Additionally, she champions systemic support and inclusivity for neurodiverse individuals.

References

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  1. ^ "XPLORE.NET SOLUTIONS LIMITED (1760236) Registered". New Zealand Companies Office. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  2. ^ "Mission accomplished". NZ Hearld. Hawke's Bay Today. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  3. ^ "Judge Wendy Schollum - Hastings District Council". Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  4. ^ "UPSTART MEDIA LIMITED (5803987) Registered". New Zealand Companies Office. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  5. ^ "Upstart Media Ltd". Upstart Media Ltd. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  6. ^ "Wendy Schollum set for new challenge as councillor". NZ Hearld. Hawke's Bay Today. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  7. ^ Hamish, Bidwell. "Hastings District Council changes leadership of five committees, citing 'succession planning'". NZ Herald. Hawke's Bay Today. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  8. ^ Mitchell, Hageman. "Elder Abuse Awareness Day: Hawke's Bay leaders call for law changes as cases increase". NZ Herald. Hawke's Bay Today. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  9. ^ Laura, Wiltshire (15 April 2019). "The ghost CBD: Hastings' empty inner city could hold key to solving housing crisis". NZ Herald. Hawke's Bay Today. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  10. ^ "Certificate holders - local body elected members". NZ Ministry for the Environment. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  11. ^ Jessie, Chiang (15 June 2024). "Reports of elder abuse should be mandatory, advocacy group says". RNZ. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  12. ^ "Comment: 'Scathing indictment' that one in ten older people will experience abuse". NZ Herald. Hawke's Bay Today. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  13. ^ "Hastings Youth Council plans exciting year ahead". Hawke's Bay App. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  14. ^ Shannon, Johnstone (29 July 2020). "Hastings Youth Council complained of tokenism. So council gave them seats at its table". NZ Herald. Hawke's Bay Today. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  15. ^ Lauren, Crimp (February 2024). "Cyclone Gabrielle: Hawke's Bay homeowners outraged at proposal they pay council back for demolition costs". RNZ. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  16. ^ "Hastings councillors approve 'prudent' $10m water project cost increase". Hawke's Bay Today. NZ Herald. NZ Herald. 8 April 2021. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  17. ^ "'Carbon copy' of Ahuriri business hub to be piloted in Hastings". Hawke's Bay Today. NZ Herald. NZ Herald. 18 September 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  18. ^ "Hastings councillors to hire investigator to search for water museum leak". Hawke's Bay Today. NZ Herald. NZ Herald. 10 October 2019. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  19. ^ "Hastings residents will be able to watch council meetings from home". Hawke's Bay Today. NZ Herald. NZ Herald. 6 May 2019. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  20. ^ "The Government's new vape laws won't stop youth addiction". Hawke's Bay Today. NZ Herald. NZ Herald. 24 September 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  21. ^ "Hastings District Council criticises 'broken' alcohol act". Hawke's Bay Today. NZ Herald. NZ Herald. 12 July 2019. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  22. ^ "Will Hawke's Bay's mayors seek re-election in 2025? They respond!". Hawke's Bay App. Hawke's Bay App. Hawke's Bay App. 3 October 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  23. ^ "Hastings District Councillor Wendy Schollum says she will make a decision on running for Mayor next year". Hawke's Bay App. Hawke's Bay App. Hawke's Bay App. 3 October 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  24. ^ "Go Girls HB Women On Top". The Profit. No. July-September 2011. Attn! Marketing PR. The Profit. July 2011. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  25. ^ "Hastings Blossom Parade coming together". Hawke's Bay Today. NZ Herald. NZ Herald. 13 September 2018.
  26. ^ "Hastings council cancels drag queens' Rainbow Storytime after Destiny Church protest". RNZ. RNZ. RNZ. 26 March 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  27. ^ "Unanimous vote to keep Māori wards at Heretaunga District Council". Te Ao Maori News. Te Ao Maori News. Te Ao Maori News. 27 August 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  28. ^ "'Most horrific threats' - Rainbow storytime tour cancellation draws outrage". RNZ. RNZ. RNZ. 26 April 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
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