Douglas Leeder has been named chairman of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council Toi Moana.
Mr Leeder has chaired the council over the past three years and received unanimous support from all councillors at the inaugural council meeting held in Whakatane today.
Mr Leeder said he was looking forward to progressing the five community outcomes - Water Quality & Quantity, Environmental Protection, Resilience & Safety, Economic Development and Leadership for the Bay of Plenty.
Jane Nees was unanimously elected deputy chairperson, a position she also held over the past three years.
The Regional Councillors sworn in at today's meeting were:
Awanui Black (Mauao Māori)
Norm Bruning (Western Bay of Plenty General)
Bill Clark (Eastern Bay)
John Cronin (Tauranga General)
Stuart Crosby (Tauranga General)
Douglas Leeder (Eastern Bay)
David Love (Tauranga General)
Jane Nees (Western Bay of Plenty General)
Tīpene Marr (Kōhī Māori)
Arapeta Tahana (Ōkurei Māori)
Paula Thompson (Tauranga General)
Lyall Thurston (Rotorua General)
Andrew von Dadelszen (Tauranga General)
Kevin Winters (Rotorua General)