James Palmer has announced his resignation, come 10 February.

He will return to Wellington after five years at the helm of HBRC to take up the position of Secretary for the Environment and Chief Executive, for the Ministry for the Environment.

Hawke’s Bay’s loss – and a major loss it is – is most definitely New Zealand’s gain. The intellectual capacity, diplomacy, values and judgement he has brought to the environmental challenges of our region – obviously recognised by decision-makers in Wellington – will serve the nation well. 

Hopefully even in the face of a National/ACT Government, should that come about.

All regional councils will benefit from having James in this new position, fresh from the coal-face of grappling with policy direction and timelines from above, which often lack the insight gained from local hands-on engagement.

HBRC councillors are left with some large shoes to fill … a bit nervous-making given that six of HBRC’s eleven councillors are brand new to their jobs and four others just beginning their second term. Contentious issues around freshwater and co-governance will challenge the Regional Council in this just-beginning term. Plus a new Long-term Plan to begin developing later in the year. It would have been reassuring to have James’ hand on the tiller.

And with newbies at CEO in CHB and Wairoa, and NCC about to appoint a new CEO, James’ departure will make HDC’s Nigel Bickel the Bay’s reigning council chief executive. Nigel, please stay put for awhile!

BayBuzz interviewed both James and Nigel in depth for our Sep/Oct magazine’s Meet the chiefs feature.

Photo: Tom Allan