About the committee
The Regional Water Management Committee was established in October 2010 as part of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy. The Strategy established 10 water zones in Canterbury – each with a local committee – with the Regional Committee working alongside zone committees and communities for positive outcomes.
The Regional Committee considers regional issues of environmental restoration and repair; land use impacts on water quality; as well as water storage, distribution and efficiency options.
It operates as a committee of Environment Canterbury under the Local Government Act.
Applications for the Regional Committee closed on Friday 2 July 2010. 39 applications were received.
Terms of Reference
Committee membership
Independent chair:Andy (Andrew) Pearce
Community members:
Environment Canterbury appointments:
- David Caygill
- Peter Skelton
Christchurch City Council appointment:
Zone representatives:
- Kaikōura – Winston Gray
- Hurunui-Waiau – David Eder
- Waimakariri – Claire McKay
- Banks Peninsula - Donald Couch
- Christchurch-West Melton – Cr Sally Buck
- Selwyn-Waihora – David Painter
- Ashburton – Ben Curry
- Orari-Opihi-Pareora – John O'Neill
- Upper Waitaki – Bill Chisholm
- Lower Waitaki-South Coastal Canterbury – Robin Murphy
District council representatives:
- North Canterbury - Winton Dalley
- Mid Canterbury – Angus McKay
- South Canterbury – Nigel Gormack
Ngai Tahu appointments:
Runanga representatives:
- North Canterbury - Te Marino Leninhan
- Mid Canterbury – Craig Pauling
- South Canterbury – John Wilkie
Community committee member biographies
Andy (Andrew) Pearce (Chair)
Andy brings broad governance and management experience to the Regional Committee. He has been involved with a diverse range of public and private-sector organisations including in the infrastructure sector, banking, publicly listed companies, research and development organisations, as well as the not-for-profit sector. Andy was founding Chief Executive Officer of Landcare Research in 1992 and sits on a number of boards including the Bank of New Zealand, Christchurch City Holdings, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, and Terranova Charitable Trust.
Andy was involved in the development of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy in 2006 and 2007. He chaired the multi-stakeholder Stage III evaluation of water storage options for the Canterbury Strategic Water Study.
He also has a deep interest in, and knowledge of, the sustainable management and use of water and energy resources. Andy has developed a global perspective through working in both developed and developing countries including Australia, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Iran and Pakistan.
Hugh Logan (Lansdowne)
Hugh Logan is a natural resources management expert and consultant. He is a former Director General of the Department of Conservation and Secretary for the Ministry for the Environment. Previously he was head of the New Zealand Antarctic programme.
Widely experienced in all aspects of environmental issues including water, air, waste, land use, and especially biodiversity, he also has in-depth knowledge of the many communities, interests and organisations involved in natural resource management at national, regional and local levels.
Hugh was raised and educated in Canterbury and now lives on a horticultural property on the outskirts of Christchurch. His professional life and outdoor and recreational interests (especially climbing, skiing, fishing and mountain biking) mean he has a detailed knowledge of the province, from the high country and plains to the coast.
He is married with four children.
Jay Graybill (Geraldine)
Since arriving in New Zealand 28 years ago, American-born Jay, a fisheries scientist, has been actively involved in water issues in Canterbury. He has been Chief Executive of Central South Island Fish and Game for 19 years managing staff and council affairs under the Conservation Act 1987.
“My education and work experience has been in the area of freshwater production and ecology, specialising in the biology of salmon and trout, and applying those skills in regulatory, research and management settings.”
In addition, Jay says he has made many representations on topics including the plight of Canterbury’s waterways, Environment Canterbury’s planning processes, principles of sound water management and efficient water use.
“I take some pride in having managed the successful application for the Rangitata Water Conservation Order, which I believe has been a win-win for the community by providing economic benefit while protecting the Rangitata’s outstanding features.”
He is married with three children.
Hamish Cuthbert (Christchurch)
Hamish is a barrister and solicitor, who for the past six years has worked for Meridian Energy. He is experienced in the Resource Management Act and water policy.
He is a former chair of the Electricity Generators Water Working Group, a member of the Land and Water Forum, and has worked on the New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development water management project.
He has experience in the electricity sector on water issues, as well as hydro and irrigation infrastructure consents and development.
A born and bred Cantabrian, he is a farmer’s son and was raised on farms near Fairlie and Banks Peninsula. He says he and his family live in Canterbury because of the quality of life.
“Improving that quality of life, in all of its dimensions, for all people, is how I see one of the key challenges for the Canterbury Water Management Strategy.”
Jane Demeter
Jane’s involvement in Canterbury rivers started at a young age on her family’s farm adjoining the Hurunui River near its mouth. Returning to New Zealand after years overseas, concern for the issues around the degradation of our waterways took her to a governance role as a Canterbury Regional Councillor. Responsibilities chairing Natural Hazards and Biodiversity have provided significant insight into regional issues and the competing interests around water. Professional expertise in offshore healthcare software development for multinationals has given her a broad business background and experience. She is involved in many community groups and volunteers with a stoat trapping / monitoring programme and a children’s conservation group.
John Donkers (Geraldine)
John owns and operates a business providing consultancy services to dairy farmers, and is a shareholder and director of the Camden Group of Companies, which owns a number of irrigated farms in Central Canterbury.
John is a founding director of Central Plains Water Limited, and has been involved in the development of the Central Plains Water scheme concept since its inception in 2000.
He is deputy chairman of Irrigation NZ Inc and has been active in the resurgence of the organisation over the last eight years. He was involved in the formation of the Dunsandel Groundwater Users’ Association which represents the groundwater irrigators in central Canterbury.
John believes the “road map” and processes that have been used to manage water are no longer appropriate.
“If we can get it right in Canterbury, I believe we can have it all – an enhanced and sustainable environment as well as a vibrant economy with water underpinning our wellbeing as a region.”
John lives in Geraldine with his fiancée, Nicky and young son, Tomas.
Hugh Canard (Christchurch)
Hugh came to Canterbury as a student and has stayed for 50 years. An experienced manager in a broad range of different businesses and across the local government and central government sectors, he has a love for all Canterbury’s waterways.
Engaged for the past seven years as a self-employed consultant, Hugh’s clients include NZ Trade and Enterprise, Development West Coast, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and the Ministry for the Environment. He is currently involved in bringing a network of visitor centres to the West Coast and project managing the West Coast major Regional Initiative in tourism.
Hugh is chair of Eco-tourism New Zealand, and is Head Judge for the New Zealand Tourism Awards. He is also a member of the Land and Water Forum and chairs the Rural Water Storage and Infrastructure group.
“I want to see water management deliver its economic potential in a sustainable and broadly supported development framework.”
Keen on kayaking and tramping, he says he has tramped, climbed and kayaked most Canterbury valleys, hills and rivers, and spends much of his leisure time outdoors.
He is married with two adult children.
Terry (Terence) Heiler (West Melton)
Terry has an active water resources consultancy trading as Heiler Consultants, a group which provides services to many irrigation companies in Canterbury as well as local and regional government, and as an advisor to central government.
He was formerly director of the New Zealand Agricultural Engineering Institute at Lincoln University, a director of Landcare Research for seven years, chairman of Lincoln International Ltd for eight years and chairman of Woolpro Ltd for seven years.
With qualifications in water resources, primary industry, corporate governance, soil and water research and considerable international experience, Terry was involved in the foundation of the Glenmark Irrigation Scheme, and instrumental in ensuring the irrigation industry committed to supporting the re-establishment of Irrigation NZ.
Terry believes the water future of Canterbury must be based on the adoption of non-adversarial and multiple objective processes allowing future challenges to be addressed with a large measure of community support.
He has lived with his family in Canterbury since 1967.