Andrew Newman, the man who has led the Hawke's Bay Regional Council's drive to build the Ruataniwha Dam, has been reappointed to his old position of chief executive of the Council.
Mr Newman was seconded to the council's investment company HBRIC and Liz Lambert has been acting CEO of thecouncil.
Mr Newman has come under fire from anti-dam groups for his role in trying to get the dam built. Mr Newman, in turn, has remained steadfast in his believe that the dam will be a game changer in the dry-Central Hawke's Bay region.
HBRC Chairman Fenton Wilson says in the next Council term the organisation will face ongoing challenges and scrutiny around water management and policy development, and that it was vital to front foot this with strong leadership.
"As we move out of the detailed development phase of work with the Ruataniwha Scheme and the set-up of the regional investment company, HBRIC Limited, Andrew Newman can once again focus on taking HBRC forward with his dynamic and forthright approach," Mr Wilson said.
Mr Newman is expected to re-commence in his full-time role as the chief executive of regional council shortly after the local government elections in 2016.
