Central Hawke’s Bay District Council’s endorsed its priorities for the next three years, after reflecting on community’s conversations during the election period.

This is an important early milestone, providing clear direction to the Council organisation and a framework for our decision-making, investment and priorities through to 2028.

“We heard loud and clear the community’s expectations, and we’ve responded with three priorities for our term and a committee structure to support them,” said Central Hawke’s Bay Mayor Will Foley.

The Council’s priorities:

• Affordable and sustainable services – recognising the need to continue focusing on core services such as roads, rubbish, and water being as effective as possible

• Best value from every dollar, ensuring the community’s investment is delivered in a smart and efficient way

• Connected to our community

To support the delivery of these priorities, Council established two new committees: Planning and Investment, and Delivery and Performance, alongside the Strategic Development sub-Committee, both align with the elected members priorities. Council’s existing Risk and Assurance Committee and the Chief Executive Employment and Performance Committee have also been re-established.

Committees are focused on particular areas that Council is responsible for in the community and are a forum for topics to be discussed before going to full Council meetings for debate and decisions. In total there are five committees.

“We need essential infrastructure and community services our people can rely on. And we need to make every community dollar count through smart investment and efficient service delivery.”

The Delivery and Performance Committee will monitor financial performance, such as Hawke’s Bay’s Water Services Council-controlled Organisation Council or the overall core business of roads and water maintenance, replacements and repairs. The Planning and Investment Committee is focused on economic development and growth, and shared services and regional partnerships, as well as land transport and facilities management.

The committees keep elected officials focused on supporting affordable and sustainable services and getting best value from every dollar, Foley said.

The Strategic Development Sub-committee's purpose is to monitor and provide strategic direction on growth in the district. The sub-committee also has oversight of specific growth and development initiatives in the district.

“As a team, we’re directing efficient and prudent use of ratepayers’ funds while ensuring our priorities are translated effectively into service delivery,” Foley said.

Committees will begin work in early 2026, supported by a full meeting schedule adopted last week.

Notes:

Council Committees

Foley chairs the Chief Executive Employment and Performance Committee. The independently chaired Risk and Assurance Committee continues and will meet every quarter.

The newly formed Planning and Investment Committee is chaired by Councillor Kate Taylor, while Councillor Brent Muggeridge is chair of the Delivery and Performance Committee.

Councillor Kelly Annand is chair of the Strategic Development Sub-committee, which will also meet quarterly.

All councillors are members of each of the committees.

Planning & Investment Committee

The Committee’s purpose and focus:

• Long-term Asset Response Planning (focusing on Land Transport and Community Facilities) • Financial and Infrastructure Strategy reviews

• Growth, Housing and strategic development.

• Economic Development.

• Shared Services and Regional Partnerships

• Landfill

• Review of fit of purpose Strategic Frameworks

Delivery & Performance Committee

The Committee’s purpose and focus:

• Financial Performance Monitoring

• Project monitoring

• Procurement Strategy and Policy development

• Value and local (Return on investment)

• Annual Report monitoring • Land Transport Maintenance intervention planning • Asset Management monitoring and improvements

Strategic Development Sub-Committee

The Committee’s purpose and focus:

• Waipukurau South Growth Precinct

• District Planning

• Commercial and Industrial Growth Opportunities

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