Canterbury council votes out chairman

Sir Kerry Burke has been ousted as Environment Canterbury's chairman.

His five-year reign came to an end today when councillors voted 8-6 to oust him in a no-confidence motion.

Former National MP Alec Neill was elected new chairman, with Jo Kane retained as deputy.

The motion of no-confidence was led by South Canterbury councillor Mark Oldfield.

The council chamber coup followed a month-long power struggle.

Mr Oldfield told last month's meeting Sir Kerry lacked leadership and was a poor communicator.

Councillors who voted him out today said they believed there was little confidence in Sir Kerry's leadership, both locally and nationally.

Sir Kerry was a minister in the 1984-87 Labour government and Parliament's speaker from 1987-90.

- NZPA