Candidate Briefing & Information Pack Council Chief Executive February 2016

Buller District Council CEO | Candidate Information Pack | 1 Contents

3> Background

4> Community Overview

5> The Region & Getting There

6> Mayor & Councillors

7> Council Structure

Pancake Rocks & Blowholes

Oparara Basin The Buller Coast Road

2 | Candidate Information Pack | Background

Why has this position become vacant?

he position of Buller District Council Chief Executive has become available immediately Tdue to the resignation of our current CE. However, we’re excited to start the recruitment process in search of a new community-focused CE, one who embraces the ‘Buller Way’. Council Mission & Vision

he Buller District Council is the territorial authority for the northern West Coast. Our Tgoal is to promote the well-being of our local communities. We have a wide range of responsibilities under the Local Government Act.

Our mission is – ‘To serve the residents of the Buller District, conscious of their needs, by providing facilities and services and creating an appropriate environment for progress and development.’

Customer Service Principles

• We respond to all customers within an acceptable timeframe • External customers have priority over internal customers • We are courteous, respectful, responsible and professional with each other and external customers at all times • We approach all issues/enquiries with constructive and positive communication • We take responsibility for our own individual behaviour • We talk to customers about causes and effects, providing reasons for decisions that affect others • We take ownership of our job role and responsibilities

Buller District Council CEO | Candidate Information Pack | 3 Community

Come join us in “’s Happiest Place” - The Happiness of New Zealand Report – UMR Research 2012

Karamea Area, The Buller District

Our History Top 10 reasons why he rest of New Zealand call us - “Coasters”. TEarly Coasters came mainly from Ireland, people move here Scotland and England to mine gold, coal, or break in the land. To survive they had to pull together… and that ‘togetherness’ still exists today. Coasters • Easy lifestyle and quality of life work hard and play hard with a strong sense of family, community and a tremendous sense of • We’re kid-safe and family focused humour. • A strong sense of community and caring Living • So much to do right on your doorstep he average house price is around the • World-renowned scenery T$195,000 mark (QV May 2015). This is one third of the price of properties and half • A great range of value-for-money housing that of the national average. This means that Buller people have a much higher rate of home • Getting to work, school or play takes minutes ownership than in most places – and there’s a great range from quaint early settler cottages by • An unbeatable range of sport and recreation the sea to brand new 4 and 5 bedroom homes. • Great retail, support services and cafes Schooling • Great transport links to main centres ore than seven pre-school and early learning centres provide Msafe, quality learning environments for littlies from in The Buller Guide to Living Well the North through to . We also have eight primary schools has been created as a tool to providing caring creative learning throughout the region; and three inform people about what Buller secondary schools (in Westport, Reefton, and Karamea) cater for is like as a place to live, work, our Buller secondary school students. Meanwhile, many different invest and play. To download courses in tertiary education are offered at Tai Poutini Polytechnic the guide, visit bullerdc.govt.nz. campuses in Westport and Reefton. 4 | Candidate Information Pack | Buller District Council The Region

lanking the Tasman Sea, the Buller District extends Ffrom the famous Pancake Rocks & Blowholes at in the south, through Westport (the largest town in Buller) to Karamea and the Kahurangi National Park in the north. Inland to the east is the characterful pioneering gold mining town of Reefton.

The lives of people here have been shaped by the heroic landscape, and our settlements still display plenty of pioneering spirit. For visitors, there’s our famous West Coast hospitality and a boggling array of adventure and recreation possibilities to suit any taste – with wild and tranquil rivers, dramatic seascapes, impressive wilderness and nature that will come to you.

Getting there

The District is well served by scheduled public transport services, Driving from Nelson to East-West Coaches offers services Westport takes approximately from Chirstchurch to Reefton and 3 hours, 20 minutes, 4 Westport, which takes approximately hours (via Lewis Pass) from 4-5 hours. , 10 hours from Queenstown, and 4 hours, You can also fly between and 40 minutes from Picton Westport with Sounds Air, which takes depending on the vehicle and 40 minutes. Airport is the largest conditions, etc. airport on the West Coast with direct daily flights, withAir New Zealand link flights For a comprehensive list on direct from Christchurch. From there, drive times and distances, visit Westport is a 2-hour drive away. buller.co.nz.

Buller District Council CEO | Candidate Information Pack | 5 Mayor & Councillors

Garry Howard - Mayor

’m a third-generation Coaster who is passionate Iabout Buller, its people and its sustainability. I believe in giving back to the community. I have a strong track record as a volunteer for Red Cross, Search and Rescue, plus various local committees. I consult, listen, and advocate for our region. It’s about people! It’s my goal to make sure our whole community is informed and involved in decisions. My top priorities are affordability for ratepayers, water issues, governance, and the rates review. I aim to provide strong leadership and sound financial management, utilising the skill base in our community. The bottom line is, I care! By working hard with our councillors and council staff, we can make a real difference for the people of Buller – from Karamea to , Punakaiki, and everywhere in-between! The Buller District Council consists of 11 elected members – the Mayor and 10 Councillors. The district is divided into three wards – Seddon (2 elected representatives), Westport (6 elected representatives) and Inangahua (2 elected representatives). The Mayor is elected at large. Councillors Inangahua Ward

Cr Graeme Neylon (Deputy Mayor) Cr Dave Hawes

Seddon Ward

Cr Sheryl Rhind Cr Lynn Brooks

Westport Ward

Cr Andrew Basher Cr Robyn Nahr Cr Greg Hart Cr Sharon Roche Cr Graham Howard Cr Phil Rutherford

Buller Gorge

6 | Candidate Information Pack | Buller District Council Council Structure

Council Structure

he Council staff is headed by a Chief Executive, who oversees a management team Tconsisting of the managers of the three Council operational areas – Community and Environment, Operations and Corporate Services.

Chief Executive

Manager Manager Manager Operations Community & Corporate Environment Services

For more information on all the wonderful opportunites and experiences that Buller has to offer, please visit bullerdc.govt.nz or buller.co.nz

Buller District Council CEO | Candidate Information Pack | 7