Each councillor is appointed by their own region, while co-opted members are appointed by the council to provide additional expertise.
They are not representatives of their region (as they have to take a national overview in their deliberations) and are expected to be the main link between the New Zealand Council and the regions. They should be able to explain to the New Zealand Council the views of regions on an issue, and subsequently explain to their fellow regional Councillors why the New Zealand Council decided on a particular course of action.
New Zealand Councillors are required to advance and implement national policy back in their particular regions.
Barrie Barnes
Northland
Euan Williamson
Auckland/Waikato
Mark Sceats
Eastern
Greg Duley
Hawke's Bay
Romon Sargeson
Taranaki
Stephen Haslett
Wellington
Bill O'Leary
Nelson/Marlborough
Dave Coll
North Canterbury
Sam Speight
West Coast
Daniel Isbister
Central South Island
Mike Barker
Otago
Dave Harris
Southland
Debbie Oakley
Co-opted councillor