New Zealand’s first wāhine Māori chairwoman Tui Shortland has resigned as Northland Regional Council chairwoman.
Shortland (Ngāti Hine, Ngātiwai, Te Rarawa) was selected to the $133,892-a-year position soon after the 2022 local government elections.
Her early-term resignation is unusual nationally and a first for the council in its 34-year history, following local government amalgamation in 1989.
Shortland’s resignation will be effective from Tuesday’s council meeting. She remains on the council.
Regional council chairs are selected differently from district council mayors, who stand for that position and are elected by the public. In contrast, regional council chairs are chosen from successfully elected councillors.