Marlborough’s councillors at last meeting

director. ‘‘One of the things we have got is a council that has unity,’’ he said.

‘‘We have a strong balance sheet – that comes not from the work we have done but those before us.’’ campervan.’’ Fitzpatrick said that after many years of listening to people complain about the council while in his shop, he thought it was time to do something about it. your company,’’ Leggett said.

He recalled in about 2019, when he went to Maata Waka in Blenheim, and truly understood the contribution Hunter had made to the community.

Hunter said the community did not understand the hard work that councillors put in and acknowledged the work the council had done in more recent years to connect with iwi.

Leggett told Beech he would be missed, and he combined a really high level of understanding of issues and practical knowledge on the ground.

Beech said he was a very strong conservationist, and the environment was what kept Marlborough and the community ‘‘alive and rich’’, and the team he had worked with on council had achieved ‘‘great things’’. better person to serve as mayor.

She said the role required the person to provide leadership to councillors, the community and perform civic duties.

‘‘John has excelled in his delivery of all three,’’ Taylor said.

‘‘I don’t want this to sound like a disaster movie but if it were, then John would be the leader that you would hope would be on the ship or the aeroplane.’’

She said he gave of his time and attention freely, and he was leaving the council stronger, healthier and better.

‘‘Thank-you for your strength and guidance and wisdom, thank-you for your friendship and humour.’’

Leggett said the role of councillor and mayor was a ‘‘real privilege’’. ‘‘There are heavy lifters stepping away,’’ he said.

‘‘It is time for others to step into the role. I don’t have any fears about that.’’

Local Democracy Reporting is Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air.