Big issues face new council CEO

Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said she had hoped the new chief executive would have a “clean desk” when he started, but then the cliff at Clifton fell down.

To’osavili Nigel Bickle was welcomed to the Hastings District Council at a po¯ hiri at Waipatu Marae.

Hazlehurst said it was exciting to have Bickle on board. She and the councillors had been impressed with his understanding of issues in Hastings.

She said Bickle had a network of relationships already established with people in the district. Bickle said he was looking forward to starting work in the district.

“I’m really looking forward to getting my sleeves rolled up and into what needs to be done.

One of the biggest “brutal truths” was that one-third of Hastings children lived below the poverty line. Another was ensuring a clean, safe, sustainable water supply.

“Those are some of the really big issues.”