4 October, 2025

A Fresh Approach ticket severs ties with ‘shocked’ candidate

A Fresh Approach has cut ties with its Devonport-Takapuna Local Board candidate Karin Horen, two weeks before polls close and three weeks after her pro-Israeli postings were first questioned at an election meeting in Devonport.
The ticket said its move, announced in a post last Friday evening, “acknowledged concerns raised by some members of the community”. It also spoke of security concerns for team members and their families.
The Observer understands council staff raised the issue of protest risks, ahead of an election meeting in Belmont on Sunday. While the meeting passed without incident, a range of vociferous views have been shared on social media.
Horen (pictured) remains on the ballot paper, with A Fresh Approach saying she is standing as an independent. It is now fielding a ticket of five rather than six candidates.
Horen, who spoke at the Belmont meeting, told the paper it had been a “total shock” to be dropped. She said this was not discussed with her and she found out by message. She had not considered stepping aside. “I’m determined to keep going on what I started.” Posts she had made were “the past”. And some had been removed.
When candidates at the meeting were asked to nominate their “super power”, she said hers was resilience. She wanted to bring this, empathy and action to the local board.
Horin told the paper she was getting support, but had received “hateful” messages. “As Jewish and Israeli we get a lot of hate.”
A Fresh Approach candidate Terence Harpur said the group had become concerned Horen appeared to have shared “numerous posts from far right sources”. It also fielded many complaints. Having repeatedly tried to talk to her, it acted on a values mismatch.

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