Second-term regional councillor Dr Deon Swiggs has been elected Chair of Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury) in a unanimous vote at the inaugural Council meeting on Wednesday 29 October 2025.

Chair Swiggs (Christchurch West/Ōpuna) was nominated by Councillor John Sunckell (Mid-Canterbury/Ōpākihi), seconded by Councillor Ian Mackenzie (Mid-Canterbury/Ōpākihi).

Councillors then nominated Councillor Iaean Cranwell (Ngāi Tahu), Councillor Claire McKay (North Canterbury/Ōpukepuke), and Councillor Nettles Lamont (Christchurch Central/Ōhoko) for Deputy Chair.

Councillor Iaean Cranwell was appointed as Deputy Chair with 15 votes.

Chair Swiggs told Councillors it was a great honour and privilege to lead the council for the next triennium.

"This is a pivotal time for regional and local government. I look forward to working with Deputy Chair Cranwell and the rest of our Council colleagues as we guide the regional council through this period of new opportunities, while navigating the challenges ahead.

“I look forward to getting on with the work, but we do have a lot of work ahead of us. I will serve you well and bring this table together.

“Thank you so much for having the confidence in me,” Chair Swiggs said.

Deputy Chair Cranwell said he would do everything possible to ensure the community was able to gather healthy kai from the region's waterways.

“Not only for this generation, but for generations to come. That is why I am here. I am concerned about the health of our water and our waterways.

“My focus is the region as a whole. I was selected by Ngāi Tahu, but my duty is to every community in Canterbury. I will lead the whole region, grounded in fairness and long-term outcomes,” Deputy Cranwell said.

The Council set its meeting dates for the remainer of the year, to be held on Wednesday 19 Novemberand Wednesday 10 December.

Chair Swiggs served as Deputy Chair for part of the previous triennium.

Deputy Chair Cranwell has spent three terms as a Councillor and one as Tūmu Taiao (mana whenua expert advisor).

Canterbury Regional Council Councillors
Ngāi Tahu: Iaean Cranwell and Megen McKay 
North Canterbury/Ōpukepuke: Claire McKay and John Faulkner 
Christchurch West/Ōpuna: Dr Deon Swiggs and Sara Gerard 
Christchurch North East/Ōrei: Ashley Campbell and Joe Davies 
Christchurch Central/Ōhoko: Genevieve Robinson and Nettles Lamont 
Christchurch South/Ōwhanga: Andrea Davis and Nick Moody 
Mid-Canterbury/Ōpākihi: Ian Mackenzie and John Sunckell 
South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi: Nick Ward and Peter Scott 

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