Hobbs ousted

The ODT reports:

Andrew Noone has been elected the new chairman of Otago Regional Council against a backdrop of protest.

He is taking over from Marian Hobbs, who was voted out by councillors this morning.

Councillors voted 9-2 in favour of her removal. Ms Hobbs abstained.

Mr Noone, her replacement, was then chosen as chairman. He was the only nominee. Ten councillors supported his appointment and two abstained.

Being a Council Chair is a very different skillset to being a Minister. You need to be able to built trust in a team, and persuade people – not bully them, and go behind their backs to the Minister.