Kahika Tepania names his deputy

Newly elected Ngā Tai o Tokerau Māori Ward Councillor, Chicky Rudkin, has been named Deputy Mayor for the Far North by Kahika Mayor Moko Tepania.

Born and raised in Kaikohe-Hokianga, Chicky Rudkin is the former Chair of Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board and has been an educator for 30 years. She is currently the tumuaki principal of Kaikohe East School.

Kahika Tepania, who this month won a second term as mayor with a comfortable 4885-vote lead, announced the decision to appoint Ms Rudkin this week.

Prior to the announcement, he paid tribute to outgoing Kowhai Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford, thanking her for her tireless three-year commitment in the role. Ms Stratford retained her seat on the council, winning her third term as councillor for the Bay of Islands-Whangaroa General Ward.

“Here's to another three years of mahi, though hopefully not as stressful or time consuming so you can enjoy being a new nana,” he said.

In announcing the appointment of Chicky Rudkin, Kahika Tepania said she brings huge positive energy and strong skills in communication, collaboration, and a track-record of working effectively to get things done.

“Over many years and through different roles, Whaea Chicky has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to her community and the Far North. As a team, our new council has a lot of hard mahi to do, and I know Whaea Chicky’s experience as a school principal means she is no stranger to hard work and long hours. I want to thank her for agreeing to be our Deputy Mayor for the next three years!”

Chicky Rudkin successfully stood for both Ngā Tai o Tokerau Māori Ward and Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board. Where a candidate is elected to the council and a community board, they must take the council role and relinquish their community board position. As a result, Edward Court was elected to the position vacated by Ms Rudkin on the board. She has confirmed she will resign as the principal of Kaikohe East School to focus on her council role.

The inaugural council meeting will be held next week on Wednesday 29 October beginning with a morning pōwhiri for the new council at Council Chambers in Kaikohe. After the mayor and councillors have been officially sworn in, the new council will review meeting Standing Orders, confirm committee structures for the new triennium and make appointments to external agencies and organisations. The meeting will be livestreamed on the council’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.