Long-serving Upper Hutt City Councillor deceased

Long-serving Upper Hutt City Councillor Keith Barnard has died

Councillor Barnard passed away on Friday 2 July at home.

Keith was elected to Council in 1971 and, aside from a six year break between 1989 and 1995, was involved in local politics ever since. He served under three Mayors including Wayne Guppy, Doris Nicholson and Rex Kirton.

Over the years Keith has served on and chaired a number of Council Committees including the Traffic Works and Bylaws Committee (Deputy Chair), the Policy and Resources Committee (member), the Contracts Sub Committee (member) and the Works and Services Committee (Chair).

He also represented Council on a number of committees including the UH Fire Board, Wellington Region Noxious Weeds Committee, Rimutaka Hill Road Committee, Wellington Regional Council Land Transport Committee, Community Grants and the Hutt River Floodplain Advisory Committee.

In a Valley News article written on Keith in 1998 during his eighth term - Keith is quoted as saying:
“I’ve always enjoyed being part of the city and part of the decision-making process and I’ve been particularly interested in the works side of Council”. His interest in the infrastructure of the Council continued over the years and is an area that he took particular notice of. He was also very interested in passenger transport

In 2002 he was reported to say he was pleased to see a new café culture emerging during the past several years. In 1998 he expressed his hope to see the city develop in this way. In 2002 he said: “we’ve now got outdoor tables down the main street with people getting good quality meals and coffee. It’s great for the city – not just for the residents, but also for visitors”.

Keith and his wife, of 46 years, Ruth, had three daughters and ten grandchildren.

Councillor Barnard's funeral will be on Friday 9 July at 11am at Lane Park, 16-22 Lane Street, Upper Hutt.

ENDS