Kaipara District Council review team appointed

Local Government Minister David Carter has today announced the members of a review team to assist the Kaipara District Council.

The team is to be chaired by Northland businessman and farmer Greg Gent, and he is joined by two people with considerable local government experience, Leigh Auton and Peter Tennent.

“Kaipara District Council is dealing with a number of serious issues. It sought help from the Government and the wider local government sector which has led to the appointment of this review team,” says Mr Carter.

“The team will assist the Council with its consideration of critical issues, including setting appropriate rating levels for Kaipara ratepayers. It will review the Council’s governance and financial management processes and systems and make recommendations for a way forward.

“I am confident the combined expertise of the team members will greatly assist the Council in working through its issues.”

Mr Carter says that under the current Local Government Act, there are limited options for the Government to intervene to assist councils.

“The situation in Kaipara illustrates why the Government has embarked on its Better Local Government programme of reforms,” he says.

The review team will report to the Minister at the end of October.

Members of Kaipara Review Team

Greg Gent (Chair)
Greg Gent, of Ruawai, has considerable knowledge of the Kaipara area as a long-time resident, farmer and business owner. He is an experienced director and chair and is currently a director of the Southern Cross Healthcare Group and Chair of the Farmers Mutual Group. He is also a member of the Northland District Health Board. In 2012 Greg Gent was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to the dairy industry and corporate governance.

Leigh Auton
Leigh Auton has 35 years’ local government experience and was Chief Executive of Manukau City Council from 2006 to 2010. He is an inaugural Fellow, and former President, of the New Zealand Planning Institute. Leigh Auton is currently Director of leadership consultancy business, Auton & Associates Ltd.

Peter Tennent
Peter Tennent was Mayor of New Plymouth from 2001 to 2010 and a former Deputy Mayor and councillor. In 2010 he was shortlisted for the World Mayor Prize. Peter Tennent currently serves on several boards, including the Venture Taranaki Trust. Last year he was made a Companion of The Queen's Service Order for services to local body affairs.

Related Documents

Kaipara_Review_Team_Q_and_A.pdf (pdf 18.5 KB)