New council boss ready to lead
Growth, government reforms and tricky local issues are among the big challenges new Horowhenua District Council chief executive Monique Davidson is set to face.
Davidson has returned to Horowhenua after five years as the chief executive of Central Hawke’s Bay District Council.
The 34-year-old was born and bred in Horowhenua and was deputy chief executive at the council before moving to Hawke’s Bay.
She thought there was immense vision for the district, but also massive challenges, including growth, climate change, transport investment and Government reform.
‘‘I think our community deserves the absolute best from its council and I saw an opportunity to come home and hopefully provide the leadership this organisation needs.’’
Wanting her two young children to be around family and coming back to a district that did so much for her in her formative years were also motivating factors in her return.
Davidson said Government reform would bring challenges, not just through Three Waters reforms but resource management reforms and the Future for Local Government Review.
Another challenge was the significant growth the region had been experiencing. She said people in the district needed to win from growth.
‘‘I think the challenge and the opportunity for this district is how do we ensure we keep hold of the stuff we value as a district.
‘‘And I think the opportunity through that is, working in partnership with our mana whenua, how do we ensure the stories of Horowhenua are protected and told.’’
Another issue was the future of the Levin Landfill, which has for years been the source of community complaints about odour, management of leachate, and its impact on the surrounding environment.
In April councillors voted to defer the decision on closing the landfill until an evaluation had been made by Davidson.
She said her job was to deliver on the mandate of the council table, their resolution was they wanted to wait until she had completed a review, and her job was to do that.
‘‘My commitment is to ensure that review is thorough, is robust, and also recognising there is a really passionate and strong community voice about the future of that landfill and I want to acknowledge that.’’
Davidson, who was appointed chief executive of Central Hawke’s Bay District Council at 29, said she didn’t think her age played a factor in her capability for the role.
‘‘I don’t think we live in aworld any more where age, gender, or even our degrees matter. I think we live in a world where experience, skills, but ultimately the values in which we lead with, matter more.’’
Davidson takes over from David Clapperton, who resigned following eight years as chief executive.