Our governing body of 16 Councillors focuses on region-wide strategic decision-making alongside our key partners, stakeholders, and communities.
Councillors were sworn-in at a Council meeting on Thursday 27 October 2022, when they also elected a Chair and deputy.
councillors@ecan.govt.nz
0800 266 567
Read the Chair's column - Kōrero
Peter is a mixed-crop farmer and a returning Environment Canterbury Councillor. He was Deputy Chair of the Council for four years during the last two Council terms.
In the 2019-22 Council term, Peter was Chair of the Regional Transport Committee, as well as being a member of the Climate Change Action Committee, Natural Environment Committee, Regional and Strategic Leadership Committee, Te Rōpū Tuia Governance Forum, and the Transport and Urban Development Committee.
Peter has experience in a range of leadership roles, including as chief executive of Opuha Water, a director of Horticulture New Zealand, and a director of Irrigation New Zealand. He was on the inaugural steering committee for the Canterbury Water Management Strategy.
He campaigned on a platform of providing focus and leadership and leveraging strong relationships he has formed across the region.
Craig was born and raised in Ōtautahi/Christchurch, attended Aranui High School and is a graduate of Lincoln University. He is of Māori and European descent, with tribal affiliations to Ngāi Tahu and Ngāti Mutunga.
Craig has a degree in Environmental Management, and post-graduate qualifications in Social Science and Ecology. He is also a qualified RMA hearings commissioner, and has 20 years’ experience in environmental policy, research, and consultancy.
He is a founding trustee and co-Chair of Te Ara Kākāriki, a charitable organisation dedicated to ecological restoration on the Canterbury Plains, as well as being co-Chair of Te Kākahu Kahukura, and is also heavily involved in waka ama, being the President of Te Waka Pounamu Outrigger Canoe Club based on the shore of Whakaraupō/Lyttleton Harbour.
Craig’s key priority for this term is to help guide the review and strengthening of our regional plans, which is key to protecting and enhancing our environment - ki uta, ki tai - from the mountains to the sea. This includes addressing the state of our waterways, wetlands and groundwater, our unique biodiversity as well as confronting the challenges of a changing climate.
Greg brings over 40 years’ environmental experience and has held environmental planning and policy roles in local and regional councils, and charitable trusts. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Management from CPIT (now Ara Institute).
He has been the General Manager of the Te Kōhaka o Tūhaitara Trust for 12 years, where he is proud to see the international recognition of the organisation’s bi-cultural co-management.
Greg campaigned on a platform of improving the state of our freshwater, delivering a credible response to climate change and a sustainable solution for public transport.
Councillor.Byrnes@ecan.govt.nz
0221611262
Iaean is of Kāti Irakehu, Kāti Kurī and Kāti Makō descent. He returns to Environment Canterbury, after previously serving as an appointed Councillor representing Ngāi Tahu from 2016-2019, and then as one of two Tumu Taiao mana whenua experts from October 2020 to October 2022.
Iaean has a Bachelor of Science in Biological Science, and post-graduate qualifications in Information Science.
He has built strong relationships with his hapū, papatipu rūnanga, communities, and environmental organisations throughout his career. He also has experience as a director, chair, and member on a variety of commercial, community and charitable organisations.
Joe is self-employed with a career in web-design and organisational management.
His political experience spans both local and national positions in various political organisations including the New Zealand Labour Party, The People’s Choice and the NZ Nurses Organisation. He was an elected Community Board member with Christchurch City Council from 2013-2016.
Joe campaigned on a platform of climate resilience, freshwater action, efficiency in public transport and maintaining public asset ownership.
During his term as Councillor, Joe plans to focus on Civil Defence Emergency Management initiatives, public transport and digital democracy, and values a resilient Canterbury for our future generations.
Paul’s career spans science support work in Antarctica, working with the Department of Conservation (DOC), and the US Army.
He holds qualifications in communications and has a strong focus on sustainability and community development in Lyttelton, currently chairing the Te Puna Auaha community shed project.
Paul plans to bring his background in science, sustainability and community leadership to continue nurturing and protecting the environment in Canterbury.
David brings 15 years’ experience in local government, having been an elected Community Board member and Christchurch City Councillor.
He has a particular interest in water and catchment management and holds a Bachelor of Science in Geography and Geology. David started his career with the North Canterbury Catchment Board – which later became part of Environment Canterbury.
David campaigned on improving water quality and adaptation to natural hazards in our waterways, rivers, lakes and coastal marine environments. He describes himself as action-oriented, resourceful and valuing efficiency.
Grant is a returning Environment Canterbury Councillor who was co-Chair of the Air Quality, Transport and Urban Development Committee in the 2019-22 Council term and was previously the Deputy Chair of the Waimakariri Water Zone Committee.
A landscape architect with a background in urban and rural design and planning, Grant campaigned on a platform of improving environmental outcomes and support for Environment Canterbury’s Strategic Direction, specifically transformational change.
His focus for this term will be supporting quality urban growth and transport initiatives, developing integrated approaches to whole-of-catchment management; and taking action to deliver creative, climate adaptive solutions to river systems management.
Nuk shares whakapapa with all 10 Waitaha Papatipu Rūnanga and has had long involvement with Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke, Ngāi Tūāhuriri, and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.
He brings extensive governance experience through past and present directorships and, during his time as a National List MP, he sat on the Local Government and Environment Parliamentary Select Committee and was Chair of the Māori Affairs Select Committee.
Nuk is passionate about the mauri of our mahinga kai and wai Māori and plans to focus on these areas.
Ian is a returning Environment Canterbury Councillor and was co-Chair of the Catchment Sub-Committee in the 2019-22 Council term.
He is a Nuffield scholar who runs a family farming operation producing grain, milk, vegetables, seed and meat. His efforts protecting wetlands has provided habitat for Canterbury mudfish and other native fish and bird species.
He has a Bachelor of Agricultural Science and was involved in the early days of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS) developing the water zone committees and has had various roles with Federated Farmers at a regional and national level.
Ian campaigned on a platform of bringing pragmatism and accountability, while acknowledging the work still required to improve biodiversity and freshwater values.
Claire is a returning Environment Canterbury Councillor and has previously been co-Chair of the Natural Environment Committee, and a member of the Regulation Hearing, and Audit, Finance and Risk committees.
Her professional career was as a veterinarian, before becoming a dairy farmer in Canterbury. Claire is also a certified RMA hearings commissioner.
Claire campaigned on a platform of reasoned, evidence-based decision-making and good governance, balancing social, cultural and economic values with responsible environmental objectives. She believes in a common-sense approach to regulations with achievable timeframes for the implementation of practical solutions, with true community involvement.
Genevieve is an experienced journalist and researcher, with a focus on environmental journalism for the past decade.
She has spent much of her career advocating for freshwater and coastal issues, including a focus on marine wildlife protection.
Genevieve has a special interest in environmental issues affecting public health, and further protecting endemic species. She is deputy chair of Māui and Hector’s Dolphin Defenders Incorporated.
Vicky is a returning Environment Canterbury Councillor and in the 2019-22 Council term was co-Chair of the Climate Change Action Committee.
She is a trained geologist and has a Master of Water Resource Management from the University of Canterbury.
Previously a community representative on the Canterbury Water Management Strategy Regional Committee, Vicky has 15 years’ professional experience in the environmental sector specialising in contaminated land assessments.
Vicky campaigned on a platform of collaboration, supporting positive change for natural resources and land use, and effective monitoring and enforcement. Her priorities are improving urban and rural water quality, protecting and enhancing biodiversity, and advocating for extended access to public transport.
John is a returning Environment Canterbury Councillor who was Chair of the Audit, Finance and Risk Committee in the 2019-22 Council term.
He is a farmer and is involved in emergency medicine as a St John Paramedic. He has a Diploma in Agriculture, and more than 20 years’ involvement in water and environmental management.
John was previously Chair of the Performance, Audit and Risk Committee, Deputy Chair of the Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management Joint Committee, and portfolio Councillor for the Freshwater, Air Quality, and Hazards, Risk and Resilience portfolios.
John campaigned on a platform of continuing considered and effective decision-making with the experience and knowledge of how local government operates to work though upcoming policy and legislation changes.
Deon is a former Naval Officer, Christchurch City Councillor, and a director of Rebuild Christchurch. He has established several horticulture businesses, focusing on sustainable land use.
He has a Bachelor of Applied Management in Sales & Marketing, Graduate Diploma in Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Graduate Diploma in Management, Master of Business Administration, and is studying towards a doctorate in Business.
Deon campaigned on a platform of bringing sound experience and knowledge to address public transport, the health of our rivers and sustainable land use.
Nick was an intensive cropping and horticulture farmer for 35 years with a passion for soils, water and the environment.
He has a particular focus on water management, having been a member of the Ohapi Water Users Group, Orari River Committee, and is the Chair of Geraldine Water Solutions.
During his time as Councillor, Nick plans to continue his focus on freshwater management in Canterbury, to improve quality and quantity. He also plans to prioritise adaptation to climate change in a way that protects all community members as well as the economy, and pest control in the region.
View the current remuneration policy for local authority elected members.
The Pre-Election Report-2022 (PDF File, 1.87MB) provides a snapshot of Environment Canterbury’s work to progress the sustainable use of land, water and other resources and points to issues facing our region and how to plan to tackle them.