Rex Graham is new regional council chair, Barker his deputy

Rex Graham

Rex Graham has been elected as the new chairman of Hawke's Bay Regional Council.

Rick Barker was voted in as deputy.

This morning, the council's nine elected regional councillors were sworn in at the inaugural council meeting.

A large crowd gathered at the council's Napier's offices where Mr Graham was elected unopposed.

After being nominated by former chairman Fenton Wilson and seconded by Mr Barker, Mr Graham received a unanimous vote.

Mr Barker was nominated by councillor Alan Dick and seconded by councillor Neil Kirton, and was also elected unanimously.