NRC Chairman dumped

 Tui Shortland has been dumped as Chairman of the Northland Regional Council after just one year in the job. She has been replaced by Cr Geoff Crawford. Shortland will replace Jack Craw as deputy chairman. 

Councillors Craw and Macdonald have been stripped of their roles as committee chairman and removed from a number of committees. 

The rout comes after the Council was facing a public backlash against its controversial Draft Freshwater Plan. The new leadership team has put that proposal on hold, pending directions from central government.

The NRC was increasingly seen as being out of touch with the grassroots public and too ideologically driven by those with environmental agendas.   

In June the Council came under fire for increasing rates for the 2023-24 year by 10.48%. As reported previously in Letterbox, the increase was to fund additional cultural and environmental staff. 

Sources:

Northland Regional Council power shift: Deputy chair Jack Craw faces ousting, after Tui Shortland resignation

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/northland-regional-councils-seismic-power-shift-sees-deputy-chair-facing-chop/ZFSEQWUYV5DKDES4LNW6FKS2RA/

Northland Regional Council chair Geoff Crawford elected at explosive meeting

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/northland-regional-council-chair-geoff-crawford-elected-at-explosive-meeting/YD4U4GPDARHUFF73BFE5HOVG6Q/