At the first meeting of the new Council on 25 November, the elected members approved a number of key decisions for the new triennium, including the following.
New governance structure for this triennium
Council will meet six-weekly and be supported by four sub-committees:
Audit & Risk, Finance, Three Waters, and Chief Executive’s Performance.
Three advisory working groups were established:
Property, Forestry, and Pukaki Airport.
Councillor representatives on Community Boards were appointed:
- Twizel – Cr Jan Spriggs
- Tekapo/TakapÅ – Cr Sue Allen
- Fairlie – Cr Mark Adams
The Code of Conduct and Complaints Process were adopted.
Standing Orders were approved, including:
Online attendance now counting toward quorum (with in-person attendance still encouraged)
The Chairperson having a casting vote in a tie.
Three Waters Resourcing
Elected members agreed to increase staffing in the Three Waters team to strengthen the delivery of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services across the district.
Council approved the immediate recruitment of an additional Water Operations Engineer to help address current risks, improve resilience, and support compliance with national water standards.
This decision includes unbudgeted costs of up to $90,000 this financial year, with further funding to be considered through the 2026/27 Annual Plan.
Council Update – Approval for Temporary Use of Ruataniwha Reserve
Council has approved an application from Mt Cook Alpine Salmon to temporarily use a section of the Ruataniwha Reserve (between the 1000m and 1500m rowing course marks) to construct a replacement broodstock raft during May–June 2026.
Council Update – South Island Rowing Grant Approved
Council has approved a $400 grant to South Island Rowing Incorporated to support sponsorship of a race at the 2026 Maadi Regatta in Twizel. This funding covers the remaining balance of their $500 application, after the Twizel Community Board allocated its final $100 from this year’s grants budget.