Bowen to lead Canty mayoral forum

‘‘It does open doors and you get the opportunity to connect directly with with ministers and government officials, so it’s really beneficial.’’

Nigel Bowen

Timaru District mayor Nigel Bowen will head the Canterbury Mayoral Forum for the next three years.

Bowen, who served as deputy chairman of the forum during the previous local government term, was the sole nominee for the role.

He was appointed at the forum’s first meeting of the triennium last week, replacing Selwyn District mayor Sam Broughton.

Hurunui District mayor Marie Black was appointed deputy chairperson.

Bowen said the forum provides ‘‘some really good opportunities for Canterbury to speak with one voice, especially when dealing directly with central government around funding,’’ across areas such as police, housing, and other sectors.

‘‘Our mandate is not about what’s just good for a particular district, but what’s good for Canterbury,’’ he said.

‘‘Where ever there’s an opportunity we’re happy to get into it, and when we speak as one – as the Canterbury mayors – it does hold some weight.’’

This term will be ‘‘a particularly challenging one’’, with the review into the Future for Local Government signalling ‘‘reform to the sector not having been seen since 1989,’’ he said.

While he said there would be extra work in the role, it was ‘‘nothing that distracts you from the district,’’ and would be ‘‘mutually beneficial’’.

‘‘It does open doors and you get the opportunity to connect directly with with ministers and government officials, so it’s really beneficial,’’

Bowen said.

The Mayoral Forum is made up of mayors from Canterbury’s 10 territorial authorities, and the chairperson of the regional council, Environment Canterbury, Peter Scott, also of South Canterbury.

At Friday’s inaugural meeting, the forum also welcomed the region’s three new members – Anne Munro (Mackenzie District mayor), Phil Mauger (Christchurch District mayor), and Environment Canterbury chairman Peter Scott.