Former Bay of Plenty Regional Councillor Karen Summerhays is leaving Tauranga to take up a job with the Auckland Council.
She leaves the city on April 30 and starts her new job with the super city council on May 2.
Karen has been hired as the council's environmental programmes advisor.
She lost her Tauranga constituency seat to Paula Thompson by about 100 votes at the October election.
The two term councillor was disappointed at not being re-elected and says that feeling will still linger as she leaves Tauranga for her new role.
'It's been a very difficult political environment to work in,” says Karen, who says she offered something different to the other councillors – an environmental perspective.
'I'm disappointed there are no community champions.”
'I don't think there is an environmental champion on the regional council so I'm hoping one of them will step up and take on that role.”
Karen has helped champion many environmental issues during her 20 years in local government politics.
She has resigned from the various Tauranga organisations she is a member of, such as Transition Towns, Historic Village Steering Group, Environment Centre Trust and Welcome Bay Community Plan.
Karen is also standing down as the Green Party's Tauranga candidate.
Her new Auckland job involves acting as a liaison between the community and council and she will advise on environmental programmes.
'I've only ever been self employed, so having a boss is going to be quite interesting.
'I look forward to using the expertise I have built up over the years and it's really nice to have that expertise honoured in getting this position.”
Karen believes Tauranga residents are missing out on valuable ideas.
'I think this town really misses out on the values that come from the left because of the strong right wing approach to politics in this town.
'Just because it's a left idea doesn't make it a wrong idea and sometimes the politics gets in the way of doing what's right.”
Karen will keep her Welcome Bay home, but is unsure if she will ever return to Tauranga permanently.
'I had to look elsewhere – I did look (for employment) locally, but there was nothing that fitted my qualifications and interests.”
8 comments
Missing out on what?
Posted on 27-04-2011 12:30 | By SpeakUp
Tauranga is certainly not missing out on fancy expensive non-essential ideas, extortion of private property via rate demands and the delusions of grandeur, which Council has been entertaining without consideration to the debt we have already incurred. Anyone with half a brain can see that the debt situation is THEFT on this and future generations and will make the core-functioning of Council increasingly difficult if not impossible. I guess, in future, "disappointment" will be only a minor itch which imprudent Councillors will have to deal with. And, Karen, leave us alone with left-right ideology. You and your ilk have placed this region into hundreds of thousands of dollars debt. Central government is borrowing 500 million each week to maintain the card house of ‘balanced' expenditure for your pseudo-social ambitions. It's not that we all have to pay dearly for this theft. It's only the ones of us who have a PRODUCTIVE job, the ones who create real jobs, the ones who create wealth and not thief it out of others, the ones who save and invest (well, in the past). 'The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money” -Margaret Thatcher-
Congratulations, Karen
Posted on 27-04-2011 12:31 | By Jenny Argante
But you are going to be a tremendous loss to the Tauranga community you have served so diligently for so long. I have always admired and respected your dedication, your expertise, the experience you bring to everything you do, your warm compassion and your friendly respect for others. Go with our blessings and be a happy, well-appreciated and richly rewarded JAFFA!
Well Done
Posted on 27-04-2011 17:33 | By Tony
I dont always agree with you But respect your ability to put your case foward with passion . Best of luck in your new role Karen
Best Wishes
Posted on 27-04-2011 21:12 | By heather
All the best for the new position Karen, I think every Council needs someone who will watch out for the environment. If we neglect our enviroment and loose out treasures (birds & plants) there is no running next door to borrow another kiwi or kowhai tree. At times being an enviromental caretaker doesn't actually cost much in dollars, just time & common sense. In regard to the council or any local govt body, having plenty of different perspectives makes for better outcomes long term. Good "housekeeping" & a strong dose of good old commonsense is an essential, particularly in these tough times. Let's hope the local Councils can make a decent fist of things....they have started badly with their latest pay-rise....as someone else suggested they could have put it back into the pool to reduce rates!
SUPER CITY YA WOT?
Posted on 27-04-2011 21:29 | By WARTS N ALL
Thought they were evicting all the officials out of the place so as to inundate the provinces, what happened here? Is she an enviromentalist or what, never seen her at anything environmental ?
noticing an exodus
Posted on 27-04-2011 22:15 | By bringa
As a fellow left wing minded person, I am noticing an exodus of like minded people from this town and it will notice the changes in the future. Dr Michael Morris is another who has upped and left. Life is not all about making as much money as possible at all costs. It will depress you.
A convenient vehicle
Posted on 30-04-2011 08:24 | By Hebegeebies
For heavens sake this is not politics it someone moving to Auckland Super City to take up a job - so what ?.Much of what Ms Summerhays says is puffery and self promotion.She has not to my knowledge been prominent on any major environmental issues nor it seems has she been involved to any degree in local environmental hearings etc.
@ hebegeebies
Posted on 04-05-2011 17:26 | By WORMTONGUE
Perhaps it is political, that the relocation to Auckland is all about politics. The questions are who and why?
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