Laura Rae has officially taken her seat as a Western Bay of Plenty District Councillor.
Officially sworn in as the new Maketu – Te Puke Ward Councillor at this month’s full council meeting, Ms Rae (pictured), of Ngati Whakaue, was accompanied by whānau and friends as she was welcomed into the role with a powhiri.
Previously chair of the Maketu Community Board, she said that, as a young Māori wahine, she brings diversity to the Council table.
“I saw the need for equity and I wanted to make a difference because I really do care about both people and place. I felt that this was the best way forward on my journey, having started at the community board level.”
“I am absolutely honoured to have taken up this role, and I just want to thank everybody who took the time to vote for me,” Ms Rae said.
A Climate Change Coordinator for Te Rūnunga O Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketū, Ms Rae grew up in Maketu and says she is focused on bettering the place she calls home.
“I’m going to be spending a lot of time listening, to try to achieve better outcomes for everyone. We want to bring the people along with us and have a better place for our mokopuna, our tamariki, our kaumātua and everybody as a whole,” she said.
A by-election was called for the Maketu–Te Puke Councillor seat after the sudden passing of Councillor Richard Crawford in March. Ms Rae was elected to the role after receiving 1574 votes, ahead of Bernard Holmes (666) and Anthony Te Uruhi Wihapi (503).
Meanwhile, Chris Dever has been officially sworn in as an Ōmokoroa Community Board Member at Council chambers, after being elected to the role last month.
“I’m a very lucky person, I live in paradise and I’m passionate about how the developments in Ōmokoroa are aligned with what the people really need to make sure that we’re a town of the future, not just a sleepy little beach village,” says Mr Dever.
“I’ve been attending community board meetings for the last two years and I really look forward to working through the community board with the Council to improve the paradise we live in.”
Mr Dever has lived in Ōmokoroa for the past five years, having moved from Christchurch where he was the Chief Information Officer for the Canterbury District Health Board.
A member of the Rotary Tauranga Sunrise Club, Chris is also a Justice of the Peace and a marriage celebrant.
The Ōmokoroa Community Board seat became vacant following the resignation of Greig Neilson in April. Mr Dever was elected to fill the seat after receiving 634 votes, ahead of Murray Marshall (539) and Steve Ling (383).
