Rex Graham re-stands for Hawke's Bay Regional Council

Current Hawke's Bay Regional Council chairman, Rex Graham has announced he will re-stand in this year's elections. Photo / File

Hawke's Bay Regional Council chairman Rex Graham has announced he will be re-standing in this year's election.

The second-term councillor was appointed as chairman in the 2016 elections and says it has been a "privilege" being the Chair of the council which has had the "courage to 'step up' to many of the really hard issues".

"There is, of course, a cost to this and we have had to lift rates to action our agenda and everyone on our team feels for those who found this difficult as they were already struggling to make ends meet.

"The bottom line is however that without these extra resources, we cannot address the huge legacy negligence that has occurred in our environment over the last 100 years.

"Most of our wetlands have gone and our streams, rivers, lakes and estuaries are still very polluted and we have only just begun the journey the fix these."

Graham said selling a 45 per cent share in the Port will "strengthen our balance sheet and help us fight the adverse effects of climate change which are certainly coming at us".

It will also help keep rates at "sensible levels" while we address the costs of fixing our environment.

"We must continue to support our region to grow to create jobs and security for our people but this growth must be in balance with our environment."

He said there is a "real determination in this council to make a difference" and he is "very keen to continue the journey with them".

Graham noted the number of young people putting their names forward to become regional councillors in this years election, saying it is "really great to see".

"They will be the future leaders of our region, bringing fresh ideas and new energy to our table and if re-elected I look forward to working with them."

The nominations, which opened on Friday, will close at midday on August 16.

The HBRC chairperson is elected by the new Council at their first meeting.