Charles Finny to Stand for Greater Wellington Regional Council

Charles Finny, former CEO of the Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce, today announced that he would be standing for one of the five positions available in the Wellington constituency in this year’s election for the Wellington Regional Council.

“For five and a half years as CEO of the Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce, I held local Government in this region to account. Over the past year and a half as Chair of the Local Government Forum I have performed this role at a national level. Now I have finished my role at the Chamber and as I will soon be stepping down as Chair of the Local Government Forum a number of people have suggested that I should practice what I have been preaching and put my name forward in this year’s election.

“After considerable reflection I have agreed to stand.

“I have chosen the Greater Wellington Regional Council as it is an entity that would benefit from fresh blood and new ideas. It has grown substantially in importance in recent years. Today the Regional Council plays a crucial role in decisions about water, transport, the environment and economic development. It is essential for the Wellington economy that the Council is well run. And as we see, now almost daily from the problems over the trains, the challenges faced by this Council are often large and complex.

“Yet, the Council largely falls below the radar screen, and has not been subject to the same community and media scrutiny as the Wellington City Council.

“By standing for the Greater Wellington Regional Council I hope I will increase interest in the election for the media, and for the general public. I hope far more people vote this year than was the case last time around.

“Why should people vote for me?

“You have seen my ability to deliver for the region in my five and a half years as CEO of the Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce.

“I have strong governance experience – New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and Film Commission Boards and Victoria University of Wellington Council. I have also worked at senior levels in both the public and private sectors.

“I support truly sustainable economic development, public and private transport, scrutiny of Local Government expenditure and keeping rates rises as small as possible, and developing a governance model for the Wellington region that suits the region,” Charles Finny concluded.

ENDS

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