Canterbury’s new regional councillors have called for more unity, but it didn’t stop two split votes at the first full council meeting of the new term.

Seven councillors gave their maiden speeches before electing the new committees, and making council appointments at a meeting on Wednesday.

Several councillors appealed for greater collaboration to tackle the region’s challenges, which echoed calls from chairperson Dr Deon Swiggs and deputy chair Iaean Cranwell for ‘‘stability and continuity’’.

While the majority of appointments were uncontested, five positions were contested and two resulted in an 8-8 split.

South Canterbury councillor Peter Scott is no stranger to a split vote, having been elected council chairperson in October 2022, when his name was drawn out of a container, and a similar result for deputy chair in 2019.

Cr Scott’s nomination for strategy and policy committee chair was challenged by Ngāi Tahu councillor Megen McKay.

After the vote was split 8-8, Cr Scott asked if he could withdraw his nomination, but was persuaded by his colleagues to ‘‘stay in the contest’’.

But Cr Scott’s luck ran out, as Cr McKay was declared the winner after her name was drawn out of a container.

Cr Nettles Lamont was elected strategy and policy committee deputy chair unopposed after Cr Scott declined a nomination.

North Canterbury councillor Claire McKay was re-elected regional hearings committee chair by 10-6 over Cr Genevieve Robinson, but there was a second 8-8 split for the committee’s deputy chair.

Fellow North Canterbury councillor John Faulkner was declared the winner, over Cr Nick Moody, after his name was drawn out of a container.

Cr Claire McKay won a second contest for the position of environmental regulation and protection core service lead, winning nine votes, over Cr Moody (4 votes) and Cr Robinson (2 votes).

BDO New Zealand audit and assurance partner Mike Rondel was re-elected as audit and risk committee independent chair, with South Canterbury councillor Nick Ward as deputy chair.

Mid Canterbury councillor John Sunckell was elected regional development committee chair, with Cr Joe Davies elected deputy chair.

Fellow Mid Canterbury councillor Ian Mackenzie was elected community preparations and response to hazards core service lead, with Cr Davies elected public transport lead.

Cr Davies will also join Dr Swiggs on the Canterbury Regional Transport Committee, and Cr Lamont and Dr Swiggs on the Greater Christchurch Partnership Committee.

ByDavid Hill