MINUTES OF Carterton District Council
Inaugural Council meeting
HELD AT THE Carterton Events Centre, 50 Holloway Street, Carterton
ON Wednesday, 29 October 2025 AT 9:00 am

 

PRESENT:                       Mayor Steve Cretney, Deputy Mayor Grace Ayling, Cr Brian Deller, Cr Steve Laurence, Cr Lou Newman, Cr Steve Gallon, Cr Simon Casey, Cr Jane Burns, Cr Rachel Round

IN ATTENDANCE:         Staff

                                         Geoff Hamilton (Chief Executive), Geri Brooking (Group Manager People and Corporate), Glenda Seville (Group Manager Community), Marc Ferguson (Chief Financial Officer), Solitaire Robertson (Group Manager Planning and Regulatory Manager), Marcus Anselm (Communications and Engagement Manager), Anna Tulloch (Communications and Engagement Advisor), Robyn Blue (Democratic Services Officer), Katrina King (Democratic Services Officer)

                                         Mana Whenua

                                         Joel Ngātuere (Ngāti Kahukuraāwhitia)

 

1            Karakia Timatanga

The meeting opened with a karakia by all members.

2            Apologies

There were no apologies received.

3            Conflicts of Interests Declaration

There were no conflicts of interest declared.

4            Public Forum

There was no public forum.

5            Discussion of Public Forum

N/A

6            Youth Council views on agenda items

A video was provided by Youth Council and played to those in attendance.


 

7            Reports

7.1            Declarations by elected members

1.              Purpose

For Councillors to make the declaration required by clause 14 of Schedule 7 of the Local Government Act 2002.

MOVED

That the Council:

1.           Notes the English and Te reo Māori versions of the declaration.

Mayor S Cretney/Cr B Deller

CARRIED

 

7.2            Valedictory speeches

1.              Purpose

To provide the opportunity for Mayor Hon. Ron Mark to give a valedictory speech.

MOVED

That the Council:

1.           Receives the valedictory speech.

Cr S Gallon/Cr B Deller

CARRIED

 


 

 

 

 

7.3            Voting procedures for the election of Deputy Mayor and other appointments, and election of the Deputy Mayor

1.              Purpose

For the council to:

(1)    Agree the voting procedures for the election of the Deputy Mayor, the appointment of the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of council committees, and the appointment of council representatives on external bodies; and

(2)    Elect the Deputy Mayor.

MOVED

That the Council:

1.      Agrees that during this Triennium Voting System A will be used to determine the election of the Deputy Mayor;

Mayor S Cretney/Cr S Laurence

CARRIED

2.      Elects Grace Ayling as the Deputy Mayor.

Cr R Round/Cr S Casey

CARRIED

3.      Notes the Mayor chooses to use clause 41 (3) of the Local Government Act  2002 and clause 5.3 of the CDC Standing Orders, where the Mayor has the power to make the appointments of the Chair and members of each committees.

Mayor S Cretney/Cr R Round

CARRIED

 

 


 

 

7.4            Elected Members' Remuneration

1.              Purpose

For the Council to consider and set remuneration for Elected Members.

MOVED

That the Council:

1.           Receives the report.

Cr L Newman/Cr R Round

CARRIED

2.           Agrees to recommend to the Remuneration Authority remuneration for the 2025-2028 Triennium of Option 3: Deputy Mayor (98% over councillor remuneration) - $53,815 and all other Councillors $27,182

Cr B Deller/Cr S Gallon

CARRIED

3.           Notes that Council can review this allocation during the Triennium and seek approval for changes from the Remuneration Authority.

Mayor S Cretney/Cr S Laurence

CARRIED

 

7.5            Local Water Done Well Stakeholder Forum Appointments

1.              Purpose

This paper seeks the Council’s approval for Carterton District Council’s appointment on the Stakeholder Forum for the new Wairarapa - Tararua Water Services Organisation (WSO).

MOVED

That the Council:

1.           Receives the report.

Mayor S Cretney/Cr L Newman

CARRIED

2.           Appoints Cr B Deller as the Council’s representative on the Stakeholders’ Forum

Cr S Laurence/Cr J Burns

CARRIED

3.           Appoints Cr R Round as the Council’s alternate representative on the Stakeholders’ Forum

Cr R Round/Mayor S Cretney

CARRIED

 

5.        Notes once all parties have appointed their Stakeholder Forum representatives, the Forum will initiate the recruitment process for WSO company directors.

Cr S Laurence/Cr B Deller

CARRIED

 

7.6            Council, Committees, Advisory Groups and Portfolio Responsibilities for the 2025-28 Triennium

1.              Purpose

For the Council to consider and adopt a committee structure for the 2025 - 2028 Triennium.

MOVED

That the Council:

1.           Receives the report.

Mayor S Cretney/Cr R Round

CARRIED

2.           Agrees to adopt the governance structure, as set out in sections 5 and 6 of this report.

Deputy Mayor G Ayling/Cr B Deller

CARRIED

3.           Adopts the Terms of Reference for the Committees and Advisory Groups as outlined in Attachment 1.`

4.           Notes  the updated Terms of Reference with the exception of the Economic Advisory Group and Community Advisory Group which are not yet available.

Cr B Deller/Mayor S Cretney

CARRIED

5.           Appoints the following members to the committees, and the Chairs and Deputy Chairs of those committees:

 

Committee

Members/Chair

Risk and Assurance Committee

Independent Chair - TBA

Deputy Mayor G Ayling (Deputy Chair)

Cr S Laurence

Cr J Burns

Cr S Casey

Marty Sebire – Hurunui-o-Rangi Marae

Mayor S Cretney (ex-officio)

Policy and Projects Committee

Cr R Round (Chair)

Cr S Gallon (Deputy Chair)

All other elected members

Mana whenua representative – J Ngātuere

Investment Committee

Cr S Laurence (Chair)

Cr L Newman (Deputy Chair)

Cr J Burns

Marty Sebire - Independent

Mayor S Cretney (ex-officio)

Chief Executive Employment Review Committee

Deputy Mayor Grace Ayling (Chair)

Cr S Casey (Deputy Chair)

David Hammond – Independent Advisor

All other elected members

Representation from tāngata whenua

·        Hurunui-o-Rangi Marae – M Sebire

·        Ngāti Kahukuraāwhitia - J Ngātuere

Water Race Committee

Cr B Deller (Chair)

J Booth (Deputy Chair)

Cr S Gallon

Cr R Round

J McFadzean

N Wadham

G Smith

Mayor S Cretney (ex-officio)

Hearings Committee

Cr B Deller (Chair)

Cr J Burns (Deputy Chair)

Cr S Laurence

Mayor S Cretney (ex-officio)

Sport NZ Rural Travel Fund Committee

Cr S Casey (Chair)

Cr B Deller (Deputy Chair)

Cr J Burns

Cr L Newman

Mayor S Cretney (ex-officio)

Community Grants Committee

Cr J Burns (Chair)

Cr L Newman (Deputy Chair)

Cr S Gallon

Cr R Round

Mayor S Cretney (ex-officio)

RSA Grants Committee (Carterton and District Returned and Services Memorial Trust)

Cr S Casey

Cr B Deller

Mayor S Cretney (ex-officio)

 

Creative Communities Scheme Allocation Committee

Cr S Casey

Cr S Laurence - Alternate

LWDW Stakeholder Forum

Cr B Deller

Cr R Round (alternate)

 

5.        Endorses the formation of a Community Advisory Group, and an Economic Development Advisory Group, and appoints the following Chairs, Deputy Chairs and members:

Advisory Group

Members / Chair

Community Advisory Group

Cr L Newman (Chair)

Cr J Burns (Deputy Chair)

Cr S Laurence

Cr B Deller

Mayor S Cretney

 

6.        Appoints the following Chairs, Deputy Chairs and members to the Rural Advisory Group, and the Wastewater Treatment Plant Advisory Group:

Advisory Group

Members / Chair

Rural Advisory Group

Cr B Deller (Chair)

J Booth (Deputy Chair) – appointed

Cr S Gallon

Cr R Round

Cr S Casey

Mayor S Cretney (ex-officio)

Wastewater Treatment Plant Advisory Group

Cr R Round (Chair)

Cr B Deller (Deputy Chair)

Cr S Gallon

Cr S Casey

Mayor S Cretney (ex-officio)

 

Mayor S Cretney/Cr R Round

CARRIED

 


 

 

7.7            Appointments to Greater Wellington Regional Council Regional Committees

1.              Purpose

For the Council to nominate elected representatives to Greater Wellington Regional Council’s regional committees.

MOVED

That the Council:

1.           Receives the report.

Mayor S Cretney/Cr S Gallon

CARRIED

2.        Appoints the following members to the Greater Wellington Regional Council committees:


GWRC Committee

Member

 

Wellington Regional Transport Committee

Mayor S Cretney

Cr S Casey

Wellington Region Leadership Committee

Mayor S Cretney

Deputy Mayor G Ayling

Wellington Region Civil Defence and Emergency Management Group

Mayor S Cretney

No alternate

 

Wairarapa Climate Change Caucus

Deputy Mayor G Ayling

Cr R Round

On hold pending advice from GWRC

 

Mangatārere Project Team

Cr R Round

Cr S Laurence

On hold pending advice from GWRC

Mayor S Cretney/Cr L Newman

CARRIED

3.        Notes that the Greater Wellington Regional Council will consider governance arrangements in relation to the Wairarapa Committee and other groups in November 2025.

Mayor S Cretney/Deputy Mayor G Ayling

CARRIED

4.            Notes the appointments to the following Committees that will proceed when the groups are confirmed by GWRC:

 

 

 


GWRC Committee

Member

Alternate

 

Wairarapa Committee

Dissolved at the end of the Triennium

Mayor

Deputy Mayor

TO BE CONFIRMED BY GWRC, Nov 2025

Upper Ruamahanga River Management Advisory Group

Cr B Deller

Cr R Round

No alternate

TO BE CONFIRMED BY GWRC, Nov 2025

Waiohine River Plan Advisory Group

Cr B Deller

TBC

TO BE CONFIRMED BY GWRC, Nov 2025

 

CARRIED

 

7.8            Elected member appointments to external bodies, joint committees and other groups

1.              Purpose

For the Council to make Elected Member appointments to various external bodies, joint committees and other groups for the 2025-28 Triennium.

MOVED

That the Council:

1.           Receives the report.

Mayor S Cretney/Cr B Deller

CARRIED

2.        Makes the following appointments for the term of the Triennium:

External Committee/Entity

Elected Member Appointee

2026

Joint District Licensing Committee

Cr B Deller until 30 June 2026

Cr R Cherry-Campbell until 30 June 2026

Cr B Deller from 1 July 2026

Cr J Burns from 1 July 2026

Wairarapa Economic Development Strategy Governance Group

Mayor S Cretney

Deputy Mayor G Ayling (Alternate)

 

Wairarapa Trails Action Group

Cr L Newman

Cr S Casey

 

Wairarapa Road Safety Council

Cr S Laurence

Cr S Casey (Alternate)

 

Zone 4 (LGNZ)

Mayor S Cretney

 

Wellington Region Waste Minimisation and Management Joint Committee (WCC) and Wellington Region Waste Forum

Deputy Mayor G Ayling

Cr R Round (alternate between meetings, so attendance is in person, where possible)

 

Mayors’ Taskforce for Jobs

Mayor S Cretney

Deputy Mayor G Ayling

 

Destination Wairarapa

 

R Wigglesworth (independent)

 

Wairarapa Policy Working Group

Deputy Mayor G Ayling

Cr J Burns

 

Remutaka Transport Group

Mayor S Cretney

 

Wairarapa Water Resilience Strategy Working Group

Mayor S Cretney

Cr B Deller

 

 

CARRIED

 

2.           Notes CDC’s appointment to Destination Wairarapa will continue according to the MOU.

 

 

7.9            Standing Orders and Code of Conduct

1.              Purpose

For the Council to confirm the Standing Orders and Code of Conduct for the 2025-2028 triennium.

MOVED

That the Council:

1.        Confirms the current CDC Standing Orders until such time as the new template is available in 2026.

2.        Confirms the current CDC Code of Conduct until such time as the new template is available in 2026.

Cr B Deller/Cr S Gallon

CARRIED

 


 

 

7.10          Local Authority Triennial Elections 2025

1.              Purpose

For Council to receive a report on the conduct of the 2025 Local Authority Elections.

MOVED

That the Council:

1.           Receives the report.

Mayor S Cretney/Cr S Casey

CARRIED

 

7.11          Laws and obligations relating to elected members

1.              Purpose

To provide information to elected members on key legislation that affects them.

MOVED

That the Council:

1.        Receives the report.

2.        Notes the relevant legislation and legal obligations as outlined in the report.

Deputy Mayor G Ayling/Cr J Burns

CARRIED

 

7.12          Council meeting schedule November-December 2025

1.              Purpose

To establish the schedule for Council and Committee meetings to be held in November – December 2025.

MOVED

That the Council:

1.        Receives the report.

2.        Adopts the committee and council meeting schedule for November and December 2025 as outlined in this paper.

Mayor S Cretney/Cr L Newman

CARRIED

 

8            Exclusion of the Public 

Nil

 

9            Karakia Whakamutunga

The meeting closed with a karakia by all members.

 

The Meeting closed at 12.25pm

 

 

 

Minutes confirmed: …………………………………………………

 

 Date: ...................................................