Councillor to resign from role

Napier city councillor and Tamatea Intermediate principal Roy Sye will soon resign from both roles.

As one Napier City councillor announces his resignation, a former one is proclaiming her hopeful return to council.

After three years as a councillor at large and 20 as a school principal, Roy Sye will leave both positions to take on a new role as director of education for the Hawke's Bay/Tairawhiti region.

With a career in education spanning more than 25 years in various regions and roles, Mr Sye's will now lead delivery of ministry services across Hawke's Bay to Gisborne and the East Coast, using his range of education, public sector and business experience to support education region-wide.

In the next several weeks, Mr Sye will be resigning as councillor, a position he had "absolutely loved". Given the proximity to local body elections, it was his understanding there was no requirement to fill his seat. His last day as principal of Tamatea Intermediate, a role he has held since 2000, will be on July 24, so he can begin his new role on the first day of term three.

Although being principal had been "a big part of my life", Mr Sye said he was excited to be moving into a role which focused on all sectors of education in the region, and developing positive and effective working relationships across the education sector, and with local communities and key agencies.

He will continue as a Justice of the Peace but will also resign as trustee on the Napier Girls' High School Board of Trustees.

Former Taradale ward councillor Tania Wright has announced she would be standing for the same seat this year.

After serving one term from 1995, Ms Wright represented the Taradale ward from 2004.

Following a three-year break from local government regaining her health and supporting her family, she said she was ready to put her extensive knowledge of the community to good use once again.

Ms Wright had maintained her connections to the community since stepping down at the last election through her roles as vice chairwoman of the Taradale Marketing Association and chairwoman of Creative Arts Napier. She said she would bring 12 years of experience in local government to the table and an extensive record of community service.

"I want to continue to build a legacy that my grandchildren and future citizens can be proud of," she said.