A message from the Chief Executive

Prior to becoming the chief executive in June, I had two years as the Council’s general manager of strategy, planning and engagement. I relish the challenges and opportunities that working for the regional council brings.

The Council hit a milestone recently in our water and land programme, accepting the Regional Forum’s report of recommendations for consideration. It is an important part of a process to determine how we are going to achieve the community’s aspirations for freshwater.

Together with our treaty partners, we are taking a ki uta ki tai – mountains to the sea – approach. While we are obliged to meet the requirements of the Government’s National Policy Statement for Freshwater, it is so important that we do this within a Southland context – for the region as a whole.

Like so much of the work before us and ahead of us, this will require some difficult decisions and a concerted effort across Southland, so please take the opportunities to get involved in the conversations, particularly, during the next 18 months.

We will get the best outcomes by working together to ensure our region continues to thrive well into the future.

Ngā mihi

Wilma Falconer, Chief Executive, Environment Southland