The new Hastings deputy mayor, councillor Tania Kerr, will take up the position of Hastings' deputy mayor today.
The Mohaka ward councillor is also a Council representative on Hastings' Rural Community Board.
Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said the appointment of Mrs Kerr would give Council a leadership team with an excellent balance of backgrounds, skills and expertise. "She is a hard-working, experienced, respected councillor and community leader.
"As a representative of our rural community, Mrs Kerr's appointment strongly signals the importance and value our primary industry plays in our district's economy.
"Hastings District Council's coat of arms reads Urbis et Ruris Concordia – Urban and Rural Together. Our partnership gives us a mix of strengths and interests which complement each other and reflect our respective areas - urban and rural.