# Chatham Islands Council

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Local government authority for the Chatham Islands in New Zealand

Chatham Islands Council Council logo Type Type Council of the Chatham Islands Term limits None History Preceded by Chatham Islands County Council Leadership Mayor Greg Horler[1] Deputy Mayor Celine Gregory-Hunt[2] Structure Seats 9[a] Length of term 3 years Elections Voting system FPP[3] Last election 11 October 2025 Next election 2028 Meeting place 13 Waitangi Tuku Road, Waitangi Website www.cic.govt.nz Footnotes ^ The mayor and 8 councillors

The **Chatham Islands Council** is the local government authority for the [Chatham Islands](/source/Chatham_Islands) in [New Zealand](/source/New_Zealand). The current council was established in 1995 succeeding Chatham Islands County Council which had governed the area since 1926.

## History

The Chatham Islands was incorporated into the [Colony of New Zealand](/source/Colony_of_New_Zealand) by the British in 1842. The first local government set up on the islands was the Chatham Islands Māori Council in 1900.[4]

[Chatham Islands County](/source/Counties_of_New_Zealand) was established in 1901,[5][6] though the Chatham Islands County Council was not established until 1926.[7][8]

Succeeding the county council, the Chatham Islands Council was established on 1 November 1995 by the Chatham Islands Council Act 1995. The council's purpose is to administer the Chatham Islands and the adjoining sea, known as the "Chatham Islands Territory".[9]

In December 2025, the [Controller and Auditor-General of New Zealand](/source/Controller_and_Auditor-General_of_New_Zealand) launched an investigation into the Council's "sensitive expenditure and procurement" policies.[10] [Paul Eagle](/source/Paul_Eagle) announced he would step down as council chief executive at the end of February 2026.[11] Mayor Greg Horler had sought and obtained Eagle's resignation after obtaining a draft copy of the Auditor-General's report. In mid-March 2026, Auditor-General Grant Taylor released his report which found that previous mayor Monique Croon had allocated NZ$500,000 worth of funding from the Council's expenditure to renovate his council-owned house with new bathroom fittings, stainless steel benches, cabinets and NZ$18,000 worth of high-end Miele kitchen appliances. This funding allocation had come at a time when the cash-strapped council had been unable to fund and provide basic services.[12][13]

## Composition

The councillors for the current term were elected in the [2025 New Zealand local elections](/source/2025_New_Zealand_local_elections).

Chatham Islands Council (2025-2028)[14][15] Position Name Mayor Greg Horler Deputy Mayor Celine Gregory-Hunt Councillor Keri Day Councillor Graeme Hoare Councillor Bridget Gibb Councillor Jenna Hoverd Councillor Jacqui Southcombe Councillor Nathaniel Whaitiri Councillor vacant[a]

In February 2026, councillor Pita Thomas resigned from the council.[16] A by-election to fill the vacancy left by Thomas was to be held from 4 May to 5 June 2026,[17] but the council received no nominations.[18]

## Powers, functions and services

In New Zealand's local government system of [territorial authorities](/source/Territorial_authorities_of_New_Zealand) and [regional councils](/source/Regions_of_New_Zealand), Chatham Islands Council is unique. Under the [Local Government Act 2002](/source/Local_Government_Act_2002), it is a district council. No separate region exists for the Chatham Islands but unlike [Auckland Council](/source/Auckland_Council), the Chatham Islands Council is not formally designated as a [unitary authority](/source/Unitary_authority). Despite this it has select responsibilities that are usually assigned to a regional council.

The Chatham Islands Council Act 1995 modifies legislation including the [Resource Management Act 1991](/source/Resource_Management_Act_1991) and [Building Act 2004](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Building_Act_2004&action=edit&redlink=1) so that Chatham Islands Council can perform its regional council functions. The council is excluded from some regional council functions. For example, it has no responsibility for public transport under the Land Transport Management Act 2003.

[Environment Canterbury](/source/Environment_Canterbury) carries out some regional council functions (including freshwater, biosecurity, resource management consent and compliance, navigational safety and emergency management) for the Chatham Islands under contract.[19] In 2025, Chatham Islands Council was in negotiations with Auckland Council's council-controlled organisation [Watercare](/source/Watercare_Services) for water services delivery.[20]

Under the Chatham Islands Council Act 1995, the council can levy dues on goods entering or leaving its district.[21] This revenue-gathering power is unique to the Chatham Islands Council.

## Elections

The Chatham Islands Council comprises a mayor and eight councillors, all elected [at-large](/source/At-large) by a [first-past-the-post](/source/First-past-the-post) system.[3]

### 2025

2025 Chatham Islands Council election ← 2022 11 October 2025 2028 → Mayoral election Turnout 313 (70.98% 17.76 pp) Candidate Greg Horler Monique Croon Affiliation Independent Independent Popular vote 212 95 Percentage 67.73% 30.35% Mayor before election Monique Croon Independent Elected mayor Greg Horler Independent Council election 8 seats on the Chatham Islands Council 5 seats needed for a majority Party Seats +/– Independent 8 0 This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.

#### Mayor

2025 Chatham Islands mayoral election[22] Affiliation Candidate Votes % Independent Greg Horler 212 67.73 Independent Monique Croon† 95 30.35 Informal 0 0.00 Blank 6 1.92 Turnout 313 70.98 Registered 441 Independent gain from Independent † incumbent

#### Council

At-large[22] Affiliation Candidate Votes Percentage of voters, not votes Independent Nathaniel Whaitiri 205 65.50 Independent Graeme Hoare† 202 64.54 Independent Jacqui Southcombe 172 54.95 Independent Keri Lea Day† 167 53.35 Independent Bridget Gibb 161 51.44 Independent Celine "Bubbles" Gregory-Hunt† 158 50.48 Independent Pita Thomas 139 44.41 Independent Jenna Hoverd 129 41.21 Independent Amanda Seymour† 129 41.21 Independent Jack Daymond 110 35.14 Independent Rennae Edmonds 107 34.19 Independent Judy Kamo† 103 32.91 Independent Loretta Lanauze 98 31.31 Independent Trescia Lawson 63 20.13 Informal 3 0.96 Blank 1 0.32 Turnout 313 70.98 Registered 441 Independent gain from Independent Independent hold Independent gain from Independent Independent hold Independent gain from Independent Independent hold Independent gain from Independent Independent gain from Independent (on lot draw) † incumbent

### 2022

2022 Chatham Islands Council election ← 2019 8 October 2022 2025 → Mayoral election Turnout 240 (53.22%) Candidate Monique Croon Greg Horler Affiliation Independent Independent Popular vote 124 116 Percentage 51.67% 48.32% Mayor before election Monique Croon Independent Elected mayor Monique Croon Independent Council election 8 seats on the Chatham Islands Council 5 seats needed for a majority Party Seats +/– Independent 8 0 This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.

#### Mayor

2022 Chatham Islands mayoral election[23][24][25] Affiliation Candidate Vote % Independent Monique Croon† 124 51.67 Independent Greg Horler 116 48.34 Informal 0 0.00 Blank 0 0.00 Turnout 240 53.22 Registered 451 Independent hold † incumbent

#### Council

At-large[23][24][25] Affiliation Candidate Vote Independent Keri Lea Day† Unopposed Independent Celine "Bubbles" Gregory-Hunt† Unopposed Independent Graeme Hoare† Unopposed Independent Greg Horler† Unopposed Independent Richard Joyce† Unopposed Independent Judy Kamo Unopposed Independent Nigel Ryan Unopposed Independent Amanda Seymour† Unopposed Registered 451 Independent hold Independent hold Independent hold Independent hold Independent hold Independent gain from Independent Independent gain from Independent Independent hold † incumbent

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Vacancy caused by the resignation of Councillor Pita Thomas.

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Local elections 2025 – Final election results"](https://www.cic.govt.nz/your-council/local-elections-2025). Chatham Islands Council. 16 October 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Meet the team"](https://www.cic.govt.nz/your-council/meet-the-team). *Chatham Islands Council*. Retrieved 28 November 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-2025elections_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-2025elections_4-1) ["Elections 2025 are coming!"](https://www.cic.govt.nz/your-council/news-and-events/2025/elections-2025-are-coming/). *www.cic.govt.nz*. Chatham Islands Council. Retrieved 7 February 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Rennie, Hugh (17 November 2022). ["How the Chatham Islands overcame 150 years of misrule"](https://www.stuff.co.nz/opinion/130402679/how-the-chatham-islands-overcame-150-years-of-misrule). *[Stuff](/source/Stuff_(website))*. Retrieved 7 February 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Chatham Islands County Bill 1901 (144–2)"](http://www.nzlii.org/nz/legis/hist_bill/cicb19011442241/). *www.nzlii.org*. Retrieved 31 October 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["THE NEW ZEALAND OFFICIAL YEAR-BOOK, 1912"](https://www3.stats.govt.nz/New_Zealand_Official_Yearbooks/1912/NZOYB_1912.html). *www3.stats.govt.nz*. POPULATION ON ADJACENT ISLANDS. Retrieved 31 October 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** McLintock, A. H.; Jobberns, George. ["CHATHAM ISLANDS"](https://teara.govt.nz/en/1966/chatham-islands). *An encyclopaedia of New Zealand, edited by A. H. McLintock, 1966*. An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, 1966. Retrieved 31 October 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Richards, Rhys. ["Chatham Islands – Overview"](https://teara.govt.nz/en/chatham-islands/page-1). *teara.govt.nz*. Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 31 October 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-CIC_Act_10-0)** ["Chatham Islands Council Act 1995"](http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1995/0041/latest/DLM367666.html). *New Zealand Legislation*. New Zealand Government. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190528061219/http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1995/0041/latest/DLM367666.html) from the original on 28 May 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2020. There is hereby constituted a district, to be known as The Chatham Islands Territory, which district comprises the islands known as the Chatham Islands and the area of the territorial sea adjoining those islands.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Auditor-General scrutinises Chatham Islands Council where Paul Eagle is CEO"](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/581005/auditor-general-scrutinises-chatham-islands-council-spending-where-paul-eagle-is-ceo). *[RNZ](/source/RNZ)*. 5 November 2025. Retrieved 6 December 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Vance, Andrea (12 February 2026). ["Paul Eagle to quit Chatham Islands council amid auditor-general probe"](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360948020/paul-eagle-quit-chatham-islands-council-amid-auditor-general-probe). *The Post*. Retrieved 12 February 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Milne, Jonathan (12 March 2026). ["'I panicked': Ex-MP Paul Eagle admits altering contracts to gold-plate his council house"](https://newsroom.co.nz/2026/03/12/i-panicked-ex-mp-paul-eagle-admits-altering-contracts-to-gold-plate-his-council-house/). *[Newsroom](/source/Newsroom_(website))*. Retrieved 12 March 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Hickman, Bill (12 March 2026). ["Ex Chatham Islands Council chief executive Paul Eagle apologises as audit exposes 'excessive' spending"](https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/589391/ex-chatham-islands-council-chief-executive-paul-eagle-apologises-as-audit-exposes-excessive-spending). *[RNZ](/source/RNZ)*. Retrieved 13 March 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-councillors_15-0)** ["Meet the Team"](https://www.cic.govt.nz/your-council/meet-the-team). *Chatham Islands Council*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Local elections 2025"](https://www.cic.govt.nz/your-council/local-elections-2025). *Chatham Islands Council*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Vance, Andrea (20 February 2026). ["Back-to-back exits shake Chatham Islands council"](https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360953903/back-back-exits-shake-chatham-islands-council). The Post. Retrieved 22 February 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["By-election 2026"](https://www.cic.govt.nz/your-council/news-and-events/2026/by-election-2026). *www.cic.govt.nz*. Chatham Islands Council. Retrieved 16 March 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** [Public notice: Chatham Islands Council by-election](https://www.cic.govt.nz/your-council/news-and-events/2026/public-notice-chatham-islands-council-by-election), Chatham Islands Council. 27 March 2026. Accessed 19 May 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-c685_21-0)** ["Environment Canterbury to continue offering services to Chatham Islands Council » Chatham Islands Council"](https://www.cic.govt.nz/your-council/news-and-events/2022/environment-canterbury-to-continue-offering-services-to-chatham-islands-council). *Home » Chatham Islands Council*. 24 July 2025. Retrieved 15 January 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-i309_22-0)** ["Planning for our future water services » Chatham Islands Council"](https://www.cic.govt.nz/your-council/news-and-events/2025/planning-for-our-future-water-services). *Home » Chatham Islands Council*. 7 August 2025. Retrieved 15 January 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-s048_23-0)** ["Council Dues & Charges » Chatham Islands Council"](https://www.cic.govt.nz/services/rates-consents-and-licensing/council-dues-and-charges). *Home » Chatham Islands Council*. Retrieved 15 January 2026.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:2_24-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:2_24-1) Guise, Jo (16 October 2025). ["Local elections 2025"](https://www.cic.govt.nz/your-council/local-elections-2025). *Chatham Islands Council*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20251016023036/https://www.cic.govt.nz/your-council/local-elections-2025) from the original on 16 October 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_25-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_25-1) Guise, Jo (11 October 2022). ["Declaration of results for the Chatham Islands Council – 2022 elections"](https://www.electionz.com/LGE2022_Resource/FINAL%20Election%20Results%20CIC%202022.pdf) (PDF). *ElectioNZ*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-turnout_26-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-turnout_26-1) ["Local Authority Election Statistics 2022"](https://www.dia.govt.nz/Services-Local-Elections-Local-Authority-Election-Statistics-2022f). *Department of Internal Affairs*. 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_27-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_27-1) Butt, Cindy (14 October 2019). ["Declaration of results for the Chatham Islands Council – 2019 elections"](https://www.cic.govt.nz/assets/CIC/Documents/Final-Election-Results-2019.pdf) (PDF). *Chatham Islands Council*.

## External links

- [Official website](https://www.cic.govt.nz/)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Chatham Islands Council](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chatham_Islands_Council) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chatham_Islands_Council?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.