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New Authority team members (L-R)
Jo Pikia, Keri Neilson and Michelle Hodges.
New team
members at
the Authority
THE WAIKATO RIVER AUTHORITY IS
SEEING SOME CHANGES IN PERSONNEL
WITH RECENT APPOINTMENTS TAKING
EFFECT IN SEPTEMBER.
Keri Neilson has taken on the role of Funding
Manager following Sean Newland joining Beca. Keri
was previously with the Waikato Regional Council
and took a leading role in the development of
the Waipa Catchment Plan. Also joining the team
is Michelle Hodges who is working in the policy
area for the Authority. A further change has seen
the recruitment of Jo Pikia who replaces Susan
Stephens as Administration Manager. Susan has
left to join the Waikato Raupatu River Trust in an
exciting new role.
Meanwhile, chief executive Bob Penter has
accepted an offer from the Waikato River Authority
Board to extend his contract for another five
years. Authority co-chair Hon John Luxton says the
Board is very pleased to be able to lock in Bob’s
experience and expertise for the future.
“There will inevitably be some changes to the team
over time, however the benefits of retaining a top-
class chief executive are significant, both to the
organisation and to the long-term task of seeing a
restored and protected Waikato River.”
The extension of the CE’s contract was universally
supported by the Board and has also been
welcomed by the other river iwi chairs outside
of the reappointment process, Rahui Papa from
Waikato-Tainui, John Bishara from Tuwharetoa and
Tiwha Bell from Maniapoto.
Profiling the
Waikato River
Authority
A new video has been produced that outlines the
work of the Waikato River Authority. The video is
available on the front page of the Authority website
and is fronted by the co-chairs
Tukoroirangi Morgan and Hon John Luxton.
Hui held to inform
Strategy project
The Waikato and Waipa River Restoration
Strategy project team is making good progress
and is currently focused on the Waipa catchment.
It recently held a goal setting hui with
representatives of catchment landowners, mana
whenua and the River Restoration Forum. The well
attended hui resulted in goals being set for cultural
values, erosion and sedimentation, water quality,
sustainable land management, fisheries and
biodiversity. Project manager Keri Neilson says
there will be similar hui held in the Upper Waikato
within the next two to three months and contact
will be made with stakeholders about this shortly.
The project’s aim is to develop a five to 15 year
action plan for the protection and restoration
of the Waikato and Waipa Rivers. It is intended
to guide all organisations involved in catchment
restoration activities through identifying priority
locations and actions in consultation with
catchment stakeholders.
Further information is available on