At its first full meeting of the new triennium, Environment Southland confirmed its committee structure and appointed chairs and members. Chairman Jeremy McPhail had already been elected at the October inaugural meeting.
The organisation will retain the previous committee structure with one key change—renaming the Regional Services Committee to the Integrated Catchment Management Committee. This change better reflects the interconnected nature of environmental work across Southland’s river catchments. The Climate Change Sub-Committee has also been merged into the Strategy & Policy Committee, recognising the need to integrate climate issues into strategic decision-making.
Each committee will serve in an advisory role, with full decision-making authority remaining with Environment Southland’s governing body throughout the 2025–2028 triennium. Councillors will focus on a wide range of issues including regulation, finance, investment, and environmental management.
The Integrated Catchment Management Committee, chaired by Jon Pemberton, brings together twelve councillors who will guide environmental work related to river catchments. Paul Evans will lead the Regulatory Committee, while Strategy & Policy is chaired by Lyndal Ludlow and includes a wide mix of councillors.
Maurice Rodway has been appointed chair of the Finance & Performance Committee, and the Risk and Assurance Committee will continue under the leadership of independent chair Andrew Douglas, with a planned two-year transition to a new chair. The Investment Committee will continue with Andrew Morrison and Cassandra Crowley as independent members, supported by five councillors.
Environment Southland also confirmed appointments to several joint committees and external groups. These include the Southland Civil Defence Emergency Management Group, where Councillor Phil Morrison will serve as representative with Chairman McPhail as alternate, and the Regional Transport Committee, which Morrison will chair with Councillor Alastair Gibson as deputy.
Appointments were also made to regional and environmental partnerships, including Te Rōpū Taiao, Bluff Maritime Museum Trust Board, Whakamana te Waituna Charitable Trust, and the Southland Community Broadcasters Charitable Trust. These groups support community, cultural and environmental initiatives across Southland.
Councillors Phil Morrison and Maurice Rodway were appointed to the Regional Climate Change Working Group, which helps drive local climate action. Paul Evans and Geoffrey Young will serve on the Waiau River Working Party, continuing the Council’s liaison role with the community over water resource management related to the Manapōuri power scheme.
The committee structure remains flexible and may be reviewed at any time during the current triennium to ensure it meets the needs of Southland and its communities.