New appointments have been announced for the Local Government Commission.
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has reappointed current Chair Brendan Duffy ONZM as Chair of the commission for a one-year term, ending 23 October 2025. Gwen Bull CNZM will join the commission as a temporary member to cover the representation review period.
Mr Brown stated that the government aims to ensure fair and effective local representation at elections so residents can choose their leaders. Brendan Duffy has extensive experience in local governance, having served as Mayor of Horowhenua for 12 years and District Councillor for 10 years.
Ms Bull brings a wealth of knowledge from her past roles, including Chair of the Auckland Regional Council, current Chair of the Clevedon Community Trust, and Patron of several community organisations. Her experience will be valuable during the representation review period leading up to the 2025 local elections. The Commission's primary focus is on conducting these reviews to ensure local residents have fair representation at the polls.
These new appointments aim to strengthen the commission ahead of upcoming representation reviews, a crucial step in preparing for the 2025 local elections.