New MP Jamie Arbuckle quits some council roles to ease workload

Marlborough councillor Jamie Arbuckle will step back from some council roles after joining Parliament as a list MP for New Zealand First.

Marlborough mayor Nadine Taylor has restructured the council’s committees in the wake of Jamie’s move to Parliament.

He plans to remain both a councillor and MP until at least a year out from the local government election in 2025 to avoid a costly by-election.

At a full council meeting on Thursday the mayor and Jamie had a conversation about his workload following the election, and the pair agreed he would step back from chairing any committees.

Jamie, a fifth-term councillor, had been chairing the council’s economic, finance and community committee this term.

He would stay on as a member of that committee until at least a year out from the next local government election, but deputy mayor David Croad would take over as chairperson.

Blenheim ward councillor Brian Dawson would chair the assets and services committee, previously run by Croad.

Jamie has also stepped down from chairing a long-term plan working group, and had been scratched from seven subcommittees: audit and risk, CBD and parking, commercial events fund, housing for seniors, MDC Holdings and Marlborough Airport Ltd, climate change and the hearing committee.

Two portfolios held by Jamie – resource consents and financial reporting, funding, policy, investments and debt management – had been reassigned to other councillors.

Under the Local Government Act, the mayor can appoint or discharge a chairperson or any committee members at any time.

“I think the key changes for those of you who are trying to work your way through the paper are the changes to the chairs,” Nadine said at the full council meeting.

“Of course, councillor Arbuckle chaired the [economic, finance and community] committee, and the all-important long-term plan working group.

“There are some other portfolio and subcommittee moves.”

She said she had spoken to all councillors affected, so it should not come as a surprise.

Jamie, who attended the meeting via Zoom, thanked Nadine for the opportunity to chair his committee over the past year, and the others he sat on too.

“It’s been very, very enjoyable, probably a highlight of my council career,” he said.

He said the councillors taking over the committees were “definitely up to standard” to take on those roles.

“I look forward to working with them in the coming year, and also being there to pass on any of my knowledge ... in that transition,” he said.

“But, thank you for the opportunity again, and I wish those councillors taking up those roles all the best.”

Nadine told Jamie she did not want it to feel like a farewell because he was still with the council.

“But I think on behalf of councillors, and certainly myself, I want to thank you for the hard work and dedication and energy that you brought to your roles.

“You are certainly one of the hardest working councillors in terms of the roles you have shouldered for us, particularly around that long-term plan working group which is quite an additional chunk of work, this term.

“I want to acknowledge that we will miss you, but we are quite pleased you are still at the table with us.”

Marlborough council committees

Assets and Services:
Brian Dawson (chair), Jonathan Rosene (deputy), Scott Adams, David Croad, Deborah Dalliessi, Matt Flight, Nadine Taylor

Economic, Finance and Community:
David Croad (chair), Scott Adams (deputy), Jamie Arbuckle, Sally Arbuckle, Allanah Burgess, Deborah Dalliessi, Brian Dawson, Barbara Faulls, Matt Flight, Gerald Hope, Raylene Innes, Ben Minehan, Jonathan Rosene, Thelma Sowman, Nadine Taylor

Environment and Planning:
Gerald Hope (chair), Barbara Faulls (deputy), Sally Arbuckle, Allanah Burgess, Raylene Innes, Ben Minehan, Thelma Sowman, Nadine Taylor

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