NEIL CLARKE

Tributes are being paid to foundation councillor and former regional council chairman Neil Clarke, who died at his home in the Bay of Plenty. Clarke, 90, was elected to Environment Waikato, now known as Waikato Regional Council, at its formation in 1989, representing Hauraki and Matamata-Piako for 15 years.

Waikato Regional Council chairman Alan Livingston said Clarke was a gentleman and astute politician, highly respected for his leadership and ability to work with others. ‘‘Neil recognised the national significance of the iconic Lake Taupo¯ and one of his most significant and enduring legacies was securing an agreement with central government and the Minister for the Environment Marian Hobbs to share funding of the multi-agency project to protect it.’’ Clarke was elected chairman of the Land Transport and Corporate Services committees and was later elected deputy chairman of Environment Waikato. At his retirement in October 2004, he had spent nine years as Environment Waikato’s chairman. Clarke received an OBE for outstanding services to the transport and banking industries, local government and community organisations.