Former Hastings Mayor, Lawrence Yule, has been appointed Crown Manager to Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils.
Local Government Minister, Simeon Brown said Mr Yule’s extensive governance experience and ability to manage strong relationships with Ministers, Members of Parliament, and local government would be invaluable to progressing the delivery of flood protection planned for Wairoa.
“Mr Yule’s role will be to ensure the councils cooperate and comply with his directions and work effectively together to mitigate the kind of disastrous flooding we saw during Cyclone Gabrielle and last June’s weather events, and to give the community more confidence,” said Minister Brown.
“This critical role will focus on getting the right systems in place to deliver a flood management catchment plan and flood protection works. Mr Yule will look at identifying suitable solutions, community engagement and implementation.”
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell said recent events had highlighted the vulnerability of the Wairoa township to future flood damage.
“There is an increasingly urgent need to progress these protection efforts. The Crown Manager’s role will be crucial to make this happen,” said Mr Mitchell.
“Wairoa has experienced two severe weather events in the last couple of years. Being Chair of Wairoa’s Flood Protection Stakeholder Group, Mr Yule understands the weather-related challenges the township is facing.
“The Government is delivering on its commitment to support this community by increasing its flood resilience. Failure to act is not an option,” he said
Mr Yule’s Crown Manager role will begin on 15 August 2024. The term of the role is one and a half years until 13 February 2026.
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has welcome Mr Yule’s appointment.
“We’re glad to have Mr Yule’s expertise on board, to ensure the effective use of Crown and local funding in a timely manner and to progress flood mitigations solutions faster for Wairoa,” said Hawke’s Bay Regional Council Chair Hinewai Ormsby.
“The Crown is a critical partner for the project, not just as funder but also to help with the complex decisions ahead. I conveyed the importance of the Crown’s involvement to Ministers in recent weeks.
“Mr Yule is well connected in the region and like us, well aware of the critical need for the right solution for the people of Wairoa. We are encouraged by his appointment by Minister Brown.”
The Council Chair said good progress had been made on flood mitigation options for Wairoa but there was more still to do.
“Significant technical work has been developed under the tripartite agreement between Regional Council, Wairoa District Council and Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa, and a Wairoa Stakeholder Group has reviewed flood mitigation options.”
“We look forward to continuing to work with the Wairoa community around solutions to reduce the risk of future flooding. Our changing climate means these mitigations are critically important and need to be done with urgency,” she said.
