Rex Graham was re-elected as chairman of the Hawke's Bay Regional Council, unopposed. Photo / Warren Buckland
Rex Graham was re-elected as chairman of the Hawke's Bay Regional Council, unopposed. Photo / Warren Buckland
Rex Graham has been re-elected as chairman of Hawke's Bay Regional Council unopposed, ushering in a new council led by familiar faces.
It was an auspicious occasion on Wednesday as the council swore in its first Māori councillors (Hinewai Ormsby and Charles Lambert), on the eve of the council's 30th anniversary in November.
For the first time a powhiri was held to welcome in the council for the triennium.
A haka was performed after both Ormsby and Lambert took their oath.
There are six new councillors around the nine-person table.
He also spoke briefly about the election, describing it as "tough", acknowledging two of the three councillors who lost their seats during the election, as well as the three retiring councillors.
He described the two unseated councillors, most likely discussing Paul Bailey and Tom Belford, although he did not name them, as two of the hardest working councillors.
"They will be a great loss ... but that is the nature of democracy.
"They've been replaced by a new group who I have got great hope for.
"I think we have some incredibly talented people around this table."
Hinewai Ormsby after taking her oath as a regional councillor. Photo / Warren Buckland
He said he was looking forward to working with the new council.
"Everybody here has their eye on the ball of having a strong economy that works in harmony with the environment."
Councillor Rick Barker was re-elected as deputy chairman unopposed.
He said the past two terms of Hawke's Bay have been consumed by significant issues, 2013-2016 by the Ruataniwha Dam scheme, and 2016-2019 by the sale of Napier Port.
