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The Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s Executive Team has a diverse range of national and international experience in local and central government, environment organisations and the private sector. You can find more information about the team below.
The role of the Chief Executive is the councillors Principal Advisor, to provide strategic leadership and ensure the Council is efficiently and effectively managed and led. Dr Nic Peet comes to us from Horizons Regional Council where he was Group Manager Strategy, Regulation and Science. He brings with him a wealth of environmental experience having previously worked with Department of Conservation (DOC) as an Area Manager in Whanganui and as a Research Associate in the United Kingdom for BirdLife International. Dr Peet earned his PhD in Ecology from the University of East Anglia in the UK.
Katrina grew up in Auckland and after graduating with a Masters and First Class Honours degree in Resources and Environmental Planning and Geography from the University of Waikato, started her career as a policy analyst at Taranaki Regional Council. She has spent over 20 years in central and local government working in policy roles with the Ministry of Transport and New Plymouth District Council, Environmental Consents Manager at the Hastings District Council and Customer and Regulatory Solutions Manager at the New Plymouth District Council. Katrina is a full member of the New Zealand Planning Institute and the Resource Management Law Association.
The Asset Management Group is responsible for looking after a diverse portfolio of river, drainage and coastal engineering, capital project delivery, flood scheme operations and maintenance, water security and a regional park network. Chris has more than 20 years’ experience in strategic and operational engineering management roles in New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom.
The Māori Partnerships Group ensures that the Council is informed of Māori perspectives and is meeting its Māori-specific statutory and Treaty Settlement obligations. Māori Relationship Managers assist the Council with navigating engagement processes as well as Cultural Capability and Mātauranga Māori specialists who will assist staff in understanding Te Ao Māori world views. Te Wairama Munro is the Te Pou Whakarae for the Māori Partnerships Group. She came to the Regional Council from her position as Business Manager of Ruapehu Recruitment, a social enterprise owned and led by the Ngā Waihua o Paerangi Trust. Her tenure with the Regional Council began as a Māori Relationship Manager. Ms Munro is of Ngāti Rakaipaaka, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Hinepua, Ngai Te Ipu, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa, and Ngāti Kirihika descent.
Our Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) group works alongside our communities to address key environmental challenges, including soil erosion, pest control, and the protection of indigenous biodiversity. The science, monitoring, and data functions of ICM play a critical role in our effective resource management, while environmental monitoring and sampling help track the health of our ecosystems. Our actions continue to support a thriving environment for now and for future generations. Richard Wakelin joined Hawke’s Bay Regional Council in 2021 as a Senior Catchment Advisor and subsequently became the Manager of Rural Recovery post Cyclone Gabrielle, then Manager of Rural Partnerships before he was appointed GM. Richard has more than 20 years of experience in senior roles at organisations such as Wrightson Limited, Meat and Wool New Zealand, and Beef + Lamb New Zealand.
Pip O’Connor leads our Corporate Services team. The group brings together ICT, Finance, HR, Legal, and Corporate Support to ensure the organisation runs smoothly and delivers for the region. Pip joined HBRC in early 2024 as Chief Information Officer before stepping into the General Manager role. Recognised for her clear communication and decisive leadership, Pip is passionate about building high-performing teams and aligning strategy, delivery, and innovation to achieve meaningful, long-term impact. She brings more than 20 years’ experience in technology leadership, governance, digital strategy, and operational execution, with a track record of delivering transformation, innovation, and performance improvement across public and private sectors in New Zealand, Singapore, and the UK.
Diane has been with the Regional Council since 2001 and is Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive and Chairman. Before joining Council Diane worked for three years in Australia as Registrar and Headmaster’s Secretary at Toowoomba Prep School and prior to that has worked as a Personal Assistant in Legal practices in Hawke’s Bay.
+64 6 835 9200
159 Dalton Street. Napier 4110
Private Bag 6006, Napier 4142
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