October 14, 2019
Toi Iti sets course for environment leadership
New Bay of Plenty Regional Councillor Toi Iti wants to see the council as a leader in environmental management rather than just a regulator.
The son of activist Tame Iti took the Kohi ward from incumbent Tipene Marr in Saturday’s election.
He says like all regional councils, it is grappling with issues such as climate change, water quality and the relationship of people to the taiao.
His ward covers a large part of the region from Cape Runaway to Matatā and inland to Murupara and Ruatāhuna, and many iwi interests including Tūhoe, Whakatōhea, Te Whānau a Apanui, Ūpokorehe, Ngāti Awa and Ngāti Rangitihi.
"We may not be the largest population base, but we cover a large geographical area with a lot of natural bodies of water which all need representation from a Māori perspective. Our tūturu values need to be represented at the table," Mr Iti says.
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