Pieri Munro, who has been in the Interim Chief Executive role for the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, will step back into his Te Pou Whakarae (Maori Partnerships Group Manager) role in late April.
He welcomes Bill Bayfield, formerly chief executive of Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury) and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council. Mr. Bayfield steps into the role of Interim CE for the Council starting April 29.
Pieri Munro says it is important for him to return to the Te Pou Whakarae role.
“All of our current constructs – around water reform, RMA reform with new Natural and Built Environment and Spatial Planning Bill’s in progress, our Matariki Hawke’s Bay Recovery Framework to build back better, safer and smarter under the principle of locally-led, regionally coordinated and government supported – all signal the importance of our existing and future relationships with Mana Whenua.”
He says Bill Bayfield’s appointment will be good for the council and the region it serves.
“Bill’s experience will hold Hawke’s Bay in good stead in these challenging times. In his previous roles Bill has earned respect for his strong people skills and that should give our staff confidence that his leadership will keep the HBRC ship on course.”
HBRC chair Hinewai Ormsby says she is grateful for Pieri Munro’s leadership especially as he stepped into the Interim CE role just days before Cyclone Gabrielle hit Hawke’s Bay.
“Pieri stepped into the leadership role at HBRC during an unprecedented time of disaster. Something never experienced in our lifetime.”
“We are truly grateful to Pieri for his work ethic through a challenging time and the way in which he held the position with the greatest humility, integrity and work ethic.”
She says “Pieri is a highly respected leader in our organisation and his returning to the vital role as Te Pou Whakarae in MÄori Partnerships and a member of the executive leadership team will be integral to a strong recovery for the region.
Chair Ormsby also welcomed Bill Bayfield. “His wealth of national and regional sector experience will benefit the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and the region during this immediate recovery phase.
Bill Bayfield says he is looking forward to the role: “I am so pleased to be able to offer my skills and capability to support the Council and its staff in this critical recovery phase. If my knowledge and experience can be of assistance in these challenging times for Hawke’s Bay then I am keen to make them available.”
