Timaru welcomed its new district council last week at its inaugural council meeting.
Re-elected mayor Nigel Bowen said he was excited to work with the councillors.
‘‘It really is a pleasure to be the mayor again, and I’m really excited for the future of the Timaru district. I think as a community we are in a really special time.’’
He said there will be some challenges and hurdles ahead.
‘‘But I’m sure as a community, and as a council when we work together we can achieve really great things, so appreciate that.’’
Re-elected councillor Peter Burt said it was normally customary for a few words to be spoken and said he would take up the role from former councillor Steve Wills.
‘‘I just want to welcome everyone here, and also just acknowledge the other councillors, and as I look around the room just understand and know that we have got some very very good intellectual grunt coming on here.
‘‘We’ve got a lot of decisions, very important decisions to make, and I look forward to working with this council.’’
First-time councillor Owen Jackson thanked his family and everyone who supported him through his campaign.
‘‘I’m absolutely thrilled and honoured to be on the council, and I know we have got a huge job ahead of us over the next three years, and I’m really really excited about what is to come.
‘‘So looking forward to those challenges and thank you once again, I’ll serve you well.’’
