Mayor of Central Hawke's Bay Alex Walker is set to make her mark on a national scale after being elected into two positions within the Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) National representative framework.
Nominated as LGNZ Rural Sector chairwoman and Rural Sector national council representative, Walker recently ran unopposed for both positions.
Sector representatives are elected every three years with the term reflecting the local body elections triennium, with both appointments taking effect immediately.
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The LGNZ National Council is the elected leadership of LGNZ, made up of 18 elected members from throughout New Zealand who represent the membership of 61 territorial, 11 regional, and six unitary councils; and 21 local boards of Auckland.
Walker will meet as a representative of the National Council six times per year, with the first meeting, a strategy day, taking place Thursday, December 5.
Representing the national interests of councils in New Zealand and leading best practice in the local government sector, LGNZ provide advocacy and policy services, business support, advice and training to assist members to build successful communities throughout New Zealand.
"I feel privileged to represent the Rural Sector on the National Council and look forward to championing issues of social, economic, environmental and cultural importance to rural councils and communities as both chair and representative for the sector," Walker said.
"As Central Hawke's Bay continues to grow and develop, we are an example of a rural district which is truly thriving but which shares the challenges of size, infrastructure pressure and rates affordability that other rural councils around the country are facing.
"My aim is to continue to strengthen the position of our councils in the eyes of the Government for the benefit of our community. As elected members in rural districts, we are more closely connected with the needs of our communities than any other elected representative at any level of government."
Each council across New Zealand is a member of one of four sector groups represented within the National Council, including metropolitan, regional, rural and provincial. Central Hawke's Bay District Council sits within the rural sector and meets with the provincial sector three times per year, seeing an attendance of up to 100 members.
