Bay of Plenty Regional Council elects first-ever wahine Māori Chair

Nau mai hoki mai e kōanga, nau e te Pipiwharauroa!  Mā mua ka kite a muri, mā muri ka ora a mua. Ko te pae tawhiti whāia kia tata, ko te pae tata whakamaua kia tīna.

Springtime has returned to us in the form of the Shining Cuckoo!  Those who lead give sight to those who follow, those who follow give purpose to those who lead. Seek to bring distant horizons closer and sustain and maintain those that have already been arrived at.

Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council today swore in the newly elected Council and voted in new leadership at its first official meeting held in Whakatāne.

Councillors have elected Matemoana McDonald as Chair, and Glenn Dougal as Deputy Chair, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the Regional Council. Nine new councillors joined five returning members who were formally sworn in by Chief Executive Fiona McTavish.

The new Chair, who is the first ever wahine Māori Chair for Toi Moana, says she is honoured to be elected and looking forward to working collaboratively with fellow Councillors and communities across the Bay of Plenty.

“It’s not just about relationships, it’s all about relationships,” she says. “My priority is getting the new team of Councillors working together and connecting with the community for the best interests of the Bay of Plenty region.”

Chair McDonald has been the Mauao Māori Constituency Councillor since 2017 and during that time has chaired Komiti Māori. With more than 30 years of Local Government experience, she was employed at Toi Moana as a planner before becoming a Councillor.

The new Deputy Chair adds that the Council is ready to tackle the challenges and opportunities ahead.

“I bring a fresh perspective and I’m keen to make sure we have good governance and decision-making so we can look out for the best interests of our beautiful region.”

Deputy Chair Dougal is serving his first term for the Tauranga General Constituency. He is a business owner and trained meteorologist with experience governing community organisations.

The next full Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 18 November.

ENDS