It has been a busy week for community boards around Central, and yesterday (Tuesday November 1) was the Maniototo Community Board’s turn.

Four familiar faces returned to the board’s inaugural meeting at Ranfurly, and new board member Rebecca McAuley also signed a declaration of office.

 The Ranfurly businesswoman took the fifth seat on the community board once occupied by long-term member Sue Umbers.

New board member Rebecca McAuley

Robert Hazlett was reappointed chair and Mark Harris deputy chair, with Duncan Helm and Central Otago District Councillor (CODC) Stu Duncan also returning. 

There were jokes and high spirits as the board members sorted through procedural matters and assigned delegations to community organisations.

Chair Robert Hazlett said the board members hope to have fun during their meetings as well as address the challenges in their close-knit community. 

He welcomed Rebecca to the board and said he hoped she would get along with council staff as well as the other members do. 

Central’s four community boards are all welcoming the new local government triennium this week: Vincent was first up on Monday; Maniototo yesterday; today the Teviot Community Board will meet; and the Cromwell Community Board will meet on Friday.

Vincent Community Board sworn in

PHOTOS: CODC