It’s a two horse race – CHB farmer Will Foley versus Napier’s Hinewai Ormsby.
Both will be serving their second term on the council. Foley was unopposed in the recent election and Ormsby ran third in the Napier Constituency, picking up that Constituency’s third seat.
The Chair will be elected by the 11 HBRC councillors at HBRC’s 26 October meeting.
It’s a pity the public has no say in what is arguably the most critical governance position in the region … and I stress region.
The HBRC chair must have a region-wide perspective across some of the most vexing issues facing all of Hawke’s Bay, starting with numerous hugely consequential water resilience and quality issues and our response to climate change. And in areas requiring regional approaches – like civil defence, coastal protection, tourism and regional economic development – our territorial councils have devolved key leadership responsibility to the Regional Council.
The HBRC Chair should carry mana across the broad swath of our community’s political and non-political leadership.
Although we ‘rank and file’ have no say in their selection, it would nevertheless be appropriate – providing some modicum of broader public accountability – for Councillors Foley and Ormsby to share publicly their views on the position, on leadership, and on the programme priorities they would bring to the role if selected.
BayBuzz would be happy to publish their responses.
The point that it is the REGION that is important points to a fundamental failure in the way that the voting process for the Regional Council is organised.
I had no opportunity to vote at all, and there were many others in the Region treated similarly. Why ? Simply because there was no competition in our particular constituency [or ward].
Surely an STV voting process would be much more appropriate when electing a Regional Council. It makes no sense that representation is determined on some sort of proportional population basis based on arbitrary lines drawn on a map, and hence where you happen to live.
Hmm. Good points, Brian Anderson.
I like Hinewai Ormsby’s mahi to date.
I understand why Martin Williams wouldn’t want to interfere any further with his profession.
Would Neil Kirton not put his name in the hat?