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Hawke’s Bay Regional Council is made up of eleven representatives elected by the community through the local body elections held every three years. Find out who your councillors are.
The 2025 local elections have confirmed a new Council to govern the Hawke’s Bay region for the next three years. Together, the elected councillors will provide strategic direction and decision-making on behalf of the region with the aim of ensuring the sustainable management of Hawke's Bay's land, water, as well as biodiversity, regional parks, flood mitigation, and regional transport.
Four newly elected councillors joined seven returning members, all of whom were formally sworn in by Chief Executive Dr Nic Peet on 29 October 2025:
(* denotes new councillor)
Councillor Sophie Siers was elected as Chair and Councillor Jerf Van Beek was elected Deputy Chair.
A regenerative organic pastoral farmer for 25 years, I combine practical experience with a six-year track record in local government focusing on better land management, resilient water systems and climate ready landscapes. Committed to continue building strong partnerships with mana whenua and the community and to lead the council with purpose. I am honoured to serve Te Matau-a-Maui and to delivering practical outcomes for the whenua, water and people of Hawke’s Bay.
He uri nō Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa. Born and raised in Wairoa, I am a strong advocate for the taiao – especially our most precious taonga tuku iho, te wai. A daughter of mahinga kai exponents, I was raised with a deep understanding of Manaaki and how the awa and ngahere provide, instilling in me a lifelong commitment to tiaki te taiao. Solution-focused yet unafraid to challenge inequities, I am driven to strengthen community resilience in the face of climate change and ensure “local” voices are heard. I am humbled to serve the Māui ki Te raki constituents as a Hawke’s Bay Regional Council.
E ora ai te taiao, e ora ai ngā uri whakatipu When the environment thrives, so too do the generations to come. I am a bi-lingual Iwi leader born and raised in Hawke’s Bay, a father of 5 and proud grandfather of 4 mokopuna. My academic portfolio includes a Masters with distinction (University of Canterbury) and currently a PHD candidate which complements my role as a Regional Councillor. My vision of a vibrant and flourishing region prioritises the health and wellbeing of our water first, then the needs of people, followed by a restorative approach to environmental activity while growing a sustainable and fair regional economy.
Alongside my husband Graeme, I am a proud Ruakituri sheep and beef farmer. My passion sits with rural communities and driving environmental impact alongside stakeholders. With a long background in education and event management, I manage multiple rural wellbeing initiatives that support knowledge growth and empower rural people to be better prepared to face the changing realities of farming in the Wairoa district. I stood for Council to ensure that HBRC’s governance decisions reflect the needs of the rural communities who are well placed to tackle climate change with the right support and tools
I am honoured to serve the Ahuriri/Napier constituency, grounded in deep whakapapa connections as a descendant of Hawke’s Bay’s first settlers. Over the past term, our region has faced extraordinary challenges, particularly the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle. These experiences have strengthened my commitment to resilient communities, strong environmental stewardship, and thoughtful long-term planning that safeguards both people and place. My focus remains on collaborative leadership that brings mana whenua, community voices, and regional partners together to shape a thriving future. With courage, integrity, and evidence-based decision-making, I will continue working to ensure Hawke’s Bay adapts, grows, and prospers — for this generation and those yet to come.
With over 22 years as a successful local business owner of Dale Carnegie Training, I bring proven leadership, commercial expertise, and a lifelong commitment to Hawke’s Bay. As a founding trustee of the Sensible Sentencing Trust, I have worked to influence law reform and champion victims’ rights. I have spent my career challenging the status quo to achieve better results for both commercial and charitable organisations. My skills in business and leadership can help the newly elected Council team drive real change and ensure our environment and economy thrive together. Having sold my business, I can now dedicate my time to serving our region and delivering positive outcomes for all.
I grew up on a hill country farm in Waimarama and subsequently got a commerce degree at Massey University. My first job was an exporting role at Arataki Honey and since then I have lived in several New Zealand cities, including 16 years in Wellington where I was engaged in marketing and communications, mainly in the banking sector. Prior to being elected to HBRC I spent 12 years as CEO of Mitre 10 Sports Park, mainly engaged in the development and operation of new sporting facilities. My main focus is water, both quality and quantity. I want to see us manage it well, for the benefit of the environment and the economy.
I am an accomplished executive, advisor, and community leader with extensive experience across corporate, public, and charitable sectors, and I hold a Master's degree in Māori and Indigenous Leadership. I have lived and been schooled in Hastings and Havelock North for over fifty years and have been married to Verena at the Woodford House Chapel for twenty-five years. We have two children studying at university. My parents, Togi and Mary Waitoa, were respected kaumātua in the Hawke's Bay community. I am an entrepreneur, director of īAko Māori Ltd and Inspire Aotearoa Ltd, and former director of Village Finance Ltd and Waitoa Consulting Ltd. I have held senior corporate roles in banking, insurance, and financial services, including Coca-Cola, Autosure, Vero, Provident Insurance, ANZ, and UDC, as well as private and public contractual work. I have also worked internationally in Canada and the United Kingdom. I have been an advisor to the Cranford Hospice board and board member of Kaweka Hospital, Mates4Life, Inspire Aotearoa, and have served for fifteen years on three local school boards. I am President and Life Member of the Havelock North Rugby Club, and a Hawke's Bay Person of the Year runner-up for services to the community and education.
The rural constituencies of Wairoa and Tamatea/Central Hawke’s Bay are each represented by one member, with the urban constituencies of Ahuriri /Napier and Heretaunga/Hastings each represented by three members. The rural constituency of Ngaruroro that surrounds the urban centres is represented by one member.
There are two Māori constituencies, Māui ki te Raki and Māui ki te Tonga, each with one member representing Māori who live in the northern and southern areas of Hawke’s Bay.
Councillors elect the Chair at the first Regional Council meeting following a local body election.
+64 6 835 9200
159 Dalton Street. Napier 4110
Private Bag 6006, Napier 4142
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