Buchanan to chair regional council

WAIRARAPA has its first ever chairman of Greater Wellington Regional Council.
Ian Buchanan, a former wildlife ranger, was yesterday elected unopposed as the council's chairman, having been returned as one of two Wairarapa representatives at the local body elections earlier this month.
Former chairwoman Margaret Shields did not seek re-election but remains a councillor.
Mr Buchanan said yesterday the urgent issues facing the council include public transport matters like upgrading rail infrastructure and services.
"We will also be working with district councils on the regional growth stategy recognising the importance of economic development and the role of the regional council."
Mr Buchanan said his council was a strong one with a wide variety of skills.
He was nominated as chairman by councillor Chris Laidlaw and seconded by fellow Wairarapa representative Rick Long.
Terry McDavitt was elected deputy chairman for a second term.
Mr Buchanan was first elected to the council in 1992 after six years on the Wairarapa Catchment Board and a term on the Wairarapa committee of the regional council.
His background is in fisheries protection, wildlife management and outdoor recreation.
He had been chairman of the council's environment committee since 1993 and a member of the transport, Wairarapa and Maori liaison committees.
Mr Buchanan has also dabbled in national politics, being a late selection as the National Party's Wairarapa candidate in 2002, after the withdrawal of the party's original candidate Koro Mullins.