Whakatāne District Mayor Tony Bonne this morning announced his retirement from local government, at the conclusion of the current triennium, to a packed audience attending the Council's annual Over-80's Christmas Morning Tea.
Mayor Bonne said that after serving the community for 18 years - 12 of those as Mayor - it was time for new blood to come through.
"It will give me more time to devote to Linda and my family, and provide an opportunity to take on a new challenge," Mayor Bonne said.
"I have enjoyed every minute representing our District and have enjoyed working with a group of talented and committed councilors, and the entire community, to make our District what it is today.
"Once you pause and look back, you come to realise that as a Council, we have achieved a great deal. To name but a few achievements, we have:
- Constructed the award-winning Whakatāne Library and Exhibition Centre - Te Kōputu a Te Whanga a Toi - and our new District Museum and Research Centre – Te Whare Taonga o Taketake
- Sold Council land to allow residential subdivisions to proceed, creating new urban living spaces and deepening our rates base
- Implemented a new District Plan
- Developed stronger and deeper Iwi relationships and partnerships
- Secured Air Chathams as our key air transport link after the departure of Air New Zealand
- Completed a number of key flood mitigation projects
- And lead the District through the recovery from the disastrous 2017 floods.
"I can assure you all that I will keep my foot firmly on the accelerator right through until the end of my Mayoralty, and there are a number of projects I would like to cement in before I go. These include having a firm direction in the Three Waters space; a commercial arm to invest and protect the community's assets for future generations; and firming up the reality of a lifestyle retirement village," he said.
"Local government is an exciting place and I thank the community for the honour it has bestowed on me - because it has been a privilege to represent you all."
Mayor Bonne confirmed that he will enter the local real estate industry, following the conclusion of his term in office in October 2019.