1. Do you believe HBRC is ‘tough enough’ in enforcing environmental protections when challenging actions (or omissions) by other HB councils and businesses?

Yes, I do. If the level of prosecutions by Council is anything to go by then we are one of the toughest in the country.

2. Current estimates put the cost of all feasible flood control options for the region at around $600 million. How do you believe HBRC should approach this huge challenge … how much is ‘safe enough’?

The community / rate payer must ultimately decide the level of flood protection it wants and the amount it wants to pay for it. With current climatic conditions, there is no simple number that means “safe.” I think what really matters is how community are involved. The Reimagining Flood Resilience process is designed to bring a wide range of voices and experiences into the conversation, so recommendations to Council reflect not just engineering solutions, but also community values and priorities. I think it’s a good approach.

3. To help reduce the ratepayer cost of such a major scale of flood protection, do you believe HBRC should consider selling down its shares in Napier Port in order to invest instead in better-earning financial assets?

The HBRIC portfolio exists to benefit the region, and it should be regularly tested to ensure it’s delivering the best return to ratepayers. The HBRIC board now has professional and independent directors who are consistently evaluating both financial returns and wider strategic benefits. This isn’t a static question, it evolves in tandem with our increased understanding of the costs of river management and flood resilience. As a governor, the role is to remain open to all options and recommendations presented by the HBRIC board, and try to find the balance between long-term intergenerational value and present-day needs.

4. HBRC has committed about $3 million to investigate the feasibility of a storage dam on a tributaryof the Ngaruroro River. At the same time, an effort is underway to revive construction of a ‘new’ Ruataniwha Dam in CHB. Do you support either initiative? Would you support HBRC Council putting ratepayer funds into the construction or future operation of either dam?

All water storage options should be fully investigated and evaluated. My strongly held belief is that projects of this nature must be backed by strong business cases which stand up as commercially viable in their own right. I do not support ratepayer money being relied upon to make any business case viable.

5. Do you believe HBRC is doing enough to develop potential reductions in the region’s water demand? What possibilities of this sort do you see?

I believe we are doing only just enough and it’s not happening fast enough for my liking. But the obvious steps are now in place and are being fast tracked; better municipal water management through leak reduction, more careful residential use, aquifer recharge, commercial and industrial reuse, and making sure that best-practice standards in horticulture and agriculture become the minimum standard, not the aspirational one. The implementation of these options is now a priority.

6. Do you believe HBRC is doing too much or too little with respect to adapting and/or mitigating climate change impacts in the region?

Adaptation is critical, and the flood resilience programme must be driven by the best available climate modelling. That means planning not just for today’s risks, but for what’s coming. Mitigation is harder in a region so heavily reliant on agriculture, but that doesn’t mean we can’t do better. It means we have to be smart and targeted about where we can make the biggest difference. Agri and hort best practice techniques which grow soil carbon, retain water, decrease our reliance on fertilisers that impact negatively on our ecology and environment and which have smart erosion control and planting plans are a big part of this conversation. The significance of this work is not understood widely enough, and it’s not being talked about enough although the Future Farming Trust is doing good work in this area.

7. Do you personally support retaining Māori seats at your council table?

Yes. My experience working alongside Māori ward representatives and through co-governance, such as on the Tangata Whenua Wastewater Committee at HDC, has been positive. Māori governance brings broad, long-term thinking and a depth of perspective that in my opinion benefits everyone.

8. Does Hawke’s Bay need five councils Probably not do you support amalgamation, in any form?

I fully understand people’s need to feel represented locally. But there are efficiencies that could be achieved, either through amalgamation or shared services. More collaboration is essential.

9. Would you support Councils appointing an independent “Hawke’s Bay Auditor General” to monitor councils’ spending and programme performance?

No. My opinion is that Councils budgeting and expenditure is already well detailed and monitored through the current annual and long term planning process. I wouldn’t support burdening ratepayers with more expense for what I feel would achieve very little.