New leadership for Greater Wellington committees facing ‘brave new world’

Experienced councillors have been selected to lead a slimmed-down committee structure for the new triennium, as change looms for Greater Wellington.

“We will not be daunted by the prospect of reform or shirk the duties we’ve been elected to perform,” says Daran Ponter, Chair of the regional council. 

“It’s business as usual – buses and trains will keep running and we’ll continue to safeguard our environment with mana whenua partners. These functions will persist whatever form is taken by local government. 

“Change may be years away, but as your elected representatives, we’ll ensure service continuity and governance of the highest calibre.”

Kāpiti councillor Penny Gaylor has been appointed Chair of the Regional Transport Committee, Upper Hutt councillor Ros Connelly will chair the Public Transport Committee, and Lower Hutt councillor Quentin Duthie will lead the Environment and Climate Committee.

Wellington councillor Yadana Saw has been appointed Chair the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee, while Cr Ponter will chair Te Tiriti o Waitangi Komiti with Te Upoko o te ika a Māui councillor Shamia Makarini as Deputy Chair.

“As regional councillors, we’ve long anticipated reform and will carry on delivering the services our communities have elected us to provide,” says Greater Wellington Deputy Chair Adrienne Staples.

“With this skilled and energetic group of councillors, we’ve worked hard to shape a prudent committee structure and choose leaders to preserve and strengthen Greater Wellington functions - as we move together towards a brave new world.”

Committees

Regional Transport Committee

Penny Gaylor (Chair), Daran Ponter (Deputy Chair)

Public Transport Committee

Ros Connelly (Chair), Tom James (Deputy Chair)

Environment & Climate Committee

Quentin Duthie (Chair), Gabriel Tupou (Deputy Chair)

Finance, Risk and Audit Committee

Yadana Saw (Chair), Sarah Free (Deputy Chair)

Te Tiriti o Waitangi Komiti

Daran Ponter (Chair), Shamia Makarini (Deputy Chair)

Chief Executive Employment Committee

Simon Woolf (Chair), Phil Rhodes (Deputy Chair)

Joint committees

Wellington Regional Leadership Committee

Daran Ponter (GW representative), Adrienne Staples (GW alternate)

Civil Defence Emergency Management Committee

Daran Ponter (GW representative)

Wellington Water Committee

Ros Connelly (GW representative), Simon Woolf (GW alternate)

Council companies

Greater Wellington Holdings

Nigel Elder (Deputy Chair)

Advisory bodies

Farming Reference Group

Cr Duthie, Cr Staples

Lower Ruamahanga Advisory Group

Cr Makarini, Cr Staples

Public Transport Advisory Group

Cr Free, Cr James

Upper Ruamahanga Advisory Group

Cr Rhodes, Cr Staples

Waiōhine Flood Management Group

Cr Elder, Cr Staples