After almost a decade of leadership, Bay of Plenty Regional Council Chair Doug Leeder (pictured, left) has decided it’s time to step down as Chair of New Zealand’s LGNZ Regional Sector Group (RSG).
His successor, Greater Wellington Chair, Daran Ponter (pictured, right), brings to the role a long-standing interest in local government and resolve to work shoulder to shoulder with the country’s Mayors and Chairs.
In a statement, Te Uru Kahika Unitary & Regional Councils said that during his time at the helm of RSG, Chair Leeder had been resolute in his support for a cohesive national voice for regional and unitary councils, grounded implementation, and rural and environmental needs.
“As regional and unitary councils, we work to ensure that the expectations of our communities are met in terms of a nice place to live and earn, and sustainability in terms of air quality, water, and the appropriate use of land,” said Mr Leeder.
While part of the Regional Sector’s work is regulatory across environmental resource management, Mr Leeder is quick to point out that its contributions go far beyond what many New Zealanders might realise.
“Public transport, reducing flood risk, maritime safety, environmental enhancement, emergency management, and regional planning are all things that regional and unitary councils do every day, often in the background,” he said.
“The irony is, if we’re doing our jobs well, most people won’t even notice. But without them, our communities would feel the absence very quickly.”
New RSG Chair, Daran Ponter is an experienced public policy adviser. He says he is seeking a productive partnership with central government.
“We’re operating in a period of global uncertainty and domestic pressure. That calls for agility and the Regional Sector Group felt it was important to have a Chair who could engage regularly and positively with government,” said Mr Ponter.
“As regional government, there are things that we do that would not work well for central or hyper-local government to deliver. For example, flood management, environmental monitoring, and regional transport operate best as a network and demand a regional lens.
“We’re looking forward to productive conversations about the functions we deliver.”
In taking up the mantle, Mr Ponter recognised Chair Leeder’s service to the Regional Sector and thanked him on behalf of Te Uru Kahika.
“Like all Mayors and Chairs, Doug is passionate about the Regional Sector. He has shown that through his leadership over three triennia as RSG Chair and by bringing us all together through Te Uru Kahika. This shared approach has strengthened the bonds across the Regional Sector for the betterment of the country,” he said.
At the May RSG meeting, Mayors and Chairs also elected Waikato Regional Council Chair Pamela Storey as RSG Co-Deputy Chair. Deputy Chair Storey succeeds Horizons Regional Council Chair Rachel Keedwell.
