ECan Fills Kaikōura Vacancy After Three Years

Thursday, 10 April 2025, 7:02 pm
Article: David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

Kaikōura’s Environment Canterbury (ECan) office is set to finally have a full complement of staff after three years.

The regional council’s biodiversity and biosecurity team leader north, Steve Belton, said he was pleased to announce two new appointments to the Kaikōura office.

One of the roles, for a biosecurity officer, has been vacant for three years.

‘‘We are very excited,’’ Mr Belton said.

‘‘It is great to have the recruitment done and to have all our roles filled in Kaikōura.’’

He said he has appointed an experienced biosecurity officer, who will make the move down from Bay of Plenty in May.

‘‘We have managed that position from Amberley, but I think it is always better to have someone based locally so you can establish those linkages in the community, which is really important,’’ Mr Belton said

Jemima Rodden, who has been working for the Department of Conservation in Kaikōura, will take on the other role as a biodiversity officer, joining the team at the end of this month.

This role has been vacant for nearly a year.

The recruitment process was put on hold last year while ECan went through a restructure, with Mr Belton only appointed as the biodiversity and biosecurity team leader for North Canterbury in November.

His role is based in Amberley, managing staff in Christchurch, Amberley and Kaikōura.

Mr Belton grew up in the Waikari Valley and said he was pleased to return to North Canterbury after more than 20 years.

‘‘I also lived in Rangiora for a couple of years, so I know the area well, but it has also changed a lot with all the growth.

‘‘The growth has been phenomenal.’’

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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