New chairman of the Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board Mike Edmonds.
New chairman of the Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board Mike Edmonds.
The local body elections have given a shake-up to the Far North's community boards, with two out of three choosing new chairs and deputies.
The new chairman of the Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board is Kaikohe man Mike Edmonds, who replaces Kohukohu's Pauline Evans.
Mrs Evans did not seek re-election. Mr Edmonds'deputy is Emma Davis from Rawene.
Further north, Te Hiku Community Board chose Adele Gardner of Kaitaia as its new chairwoman with Ngataki's Melanie Dalziel as deputy. Former chairman Lawrie Atkinson of Whatuwhiwhi was returned to the board but lost his position as chair.
Only the Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board opted to keep its chair from last term, Russell's Terry Greening. His deputy is Paihia representative Belinda Ward.
Mr Edmonds said his board members were keen to get started.
"The whole Far North has been making up lost ground, but there is a feeling out west that we've been left behind. I really want to address those community concerns," he said.
Ms Gardner said the next three years would be an exciting time for Te Hiku, with the development of a sports hub and possibly also a swimming pool.
Another priority would be collecting ideas and input for the council's upcoming Long Term Plan review.
Making sure people have their say in the council's 2018-28 Long Term Plan was also a priority for the Bay of Islands-Whangaroa board, Mr Greening said.
The local body elections were held in October. The new board chairs were chosen late last month at each board's inaugural meeting.
