Greater Wellington is the promotional name of the Wellington Regional Council
News release

20 October 2004

Margaret Shields to stand down as Chairperson of Greater Wellington Regional Council

Margaret Shields announced today that she would not seek another term as Chairperson of the Greater Wellington Regional Council when the position comes up for appointment at next week’s inaugural meeting of the Council.

“I have decided not to seek re-election as Chairperson for several reasons. Firstly I want to spend more time with my husband and family. After nearly 30 years in elected office I have decided it is time to scale back my involvement. While I have enjoyed working as Chairperson, it is a full-time job, and I now want to commit more time to my family. The second reason is that I have some major responsibilities to fulfil in the coming year being the Chair of the national Women’s Convention being held in Wellington in 2005.”

Ms Shields said that she was very pleased with the achievements of Greater Wellington over the last three years.

“We have made very substantial progress to secure the future of urban rail services in the Wellington region. The recent announcements of government support for these services reflect the work that Greater Wellington has been doing to ensure the region receives its fair share of investment. Over the next three years as Porirua’s representative on the Council I will continue to work for improvements to the transport network, particularly on State Highway One.”

“I am also pleased with the way Greater Wellington has operated over the last three years. The staff do a wonderful job, whether it’s building and maintaining the flood protection system, running the environmental education programmes or pumping drinking water to the cities. As Chairperson I’ve enjoyed working with staff from across the organisation, and I know what an important contribution they make to the region.”

“I have greatly enjoyed my time as Chairperson, and I am looking forward to being Porirua’s representative on the regional council over the next three years,” said Ms Shields.

ENDS

Background on election of regional council chairpersons

Under the Local Government Act 2002, Councillors elect the chairperson of a regional council at the first meeting of the newly elected Council.

The first meeting of the newly elected regional council will take place at 11.00 am on Thursday 28th October 2004. Councillors will be sworn in, and then the election of the chairperson and deputy chairperson will take place. The MP for Wellington Central and Minister for the Environment, the Hon. Marian Hobbs will attend and address the meeting.

Media are welcome to attend the inaugural meeting.

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