Challenges ahead for new team, says mayor
South Taranaki’s district councillors were sworn in at its inaugural meeting for the new term.
The meeting took place at Ka¯nihi Mawhitiwhiti Pa¯ on Thursday, October 27 — the first time it had taken place at a marae.
A po¯whiri welcomed the newly elected members, their friends and family and council staff onto the marae, before council chief executive Waid Crockett opened the meeting and Mayor Phil Nixon, the councillors and community board members were sworn into their roles.
South Taranaki mayor Nixon said he was excited by the new council and the calibre of the elected members.
“With a huge raft of Government reforms and the effects of Covid-19 still impacting [us], it’s a challenging time, but also one which provides a unique opportunity to be involved in the changing face of local government.
“The rewards certainly outweigh the challenges, and our council’s success has always been our ability to work together for the good of all
South Taranaki residents.”
Three new councillors (Te Aroha Hohaia, Tuteri Rangihaeata and Leanne Horo) and five new community board members (Monica Willson, Heather Brokenshire, Andrew Blanche, Owen Savage and Cheryl Rook) join sitting elected members.
At the meeting, Mayor Nixon also announced that councillor Rob Northcott would be his deputy for a second term.
Two byelections are required early in the New Year for a Te Ha¯ wera General Ward councillor and a Pa¯tea Community Board position, both of which remain vacant.
Nominations for both positions will open on Thursday, November 24, with voting opening on January 26, 2023.