Departing West Coast Chair On His Biggest Challenges

Tuesday, 7 October 2025, 6:13 pm
Article: Lois Williams - Local Democracy Reporter

Tributes have flowed today for West Coast Regional Council Chair Peter Haddock, who retires this week after three years in the role.

Mr Haddock chaired his last council meeting in Greymouth today, and was thanked by staff and fellow councillors for his efforts to right the ship after a turbulent few years, when the council had lost three chief executives in quick succession and other key staff.

Councillor Peter Ewen recounted how Mr Haddock had been thrown in the deep end as acting chair, and found that Government funding promised for flood protection on the Coast was at risk because to the council’s instability.

“You were successful with the Ministers in getting that $36 million – I don’t know how many times we went to Wellington - that’s $1.5 million for every thousand people on the West Coast,” Cr Ewen said.

Ngati WaeWae leader Francois Tumahai said the Council had never been in as good a position it was now.

“We would have liked you to stay - you have done a shit-load for this region and Wellington knows that too.”

Chief executive Darryl Lew thanked Mr Haddock on behalf of the council staff.

“It has been a privilege to be your chief executive, and for staff to serve under. I don’t know how any times you have had to go up and down the Coast saying ‘sorry’ to our rating districts - but if you had to do that again they would all be saying thank-you.”

In his valedictory speech Mr Haddock recalled ‘’culture shock” on finding out the joint rating district committees had not had meetings for several years and had seen little information from the Council.

The WCRC was struggling to operate, having lost so many staff, he said.

“We had to rely on consultants and corporates at huge cost to fulfill our statutory financial obligations … minutes and agendas were skimpy … everyone seemed to be struggling.”

The late Buller councillor Frank Dooley had noted the council had a huge job on its hands to rebuild.

However, staff numbers were now at 105, and functionality restored.

“Looking back on the last three years, I believe the public would have no idea of the massive change that has happened," Mr Haddock said.

The council’s investment fund had reached $15 million, and the dividends form that would help to reduce rates in the years to come, he said.

The united Coast voice provided by the Mayors, Chairs and Iwi forum put the region in a good position to benefit from the Government’s minerals royalties and Regional Deals proposals, he said.

“I believe we are on the cusp of a financial windfall and this will be a huge benefit to our ratepayers and communities.”

However, that opportunity could be lost if trust was once again lost with the Government, and the team was “broken”, he warned.

“Council is no different to a locomotive that has been derailed – it takes time, money and a huge effort to get it back on the tracks. I am proud of the work that has been achieved and the huge team effort,” an emotional Mr Haddock told councillors.

The departing Chair was applauded and presented by Cr Ewen with a parting gift of a young kowhai tree.

The remaining WCRC councillors are all seeking re-election - their current terms end this Saturday with the local government elections.

-LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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