Waikato District Council has confirmed a new committee structure designed to bring decision-making closer to communities and Tamahere’s own representatives, Cr Mike Keir and Cr Crystal Beavis, are set to play key roles.
Mayor Aksel Bech says the restructure is about “streamlining decisions while strengthening local voice and accountability.” Under the new setup, more authority is delegated to committees and community boards, giving local groups a stronger say in how resources are managed and how council policy lands at the grassroots.
For the Tamahere–Gordonton Ward, this is particularly significant. Cr Mike Keir takes on two major responsibilities — as Deputy Chair of the Assets & Infrastructure Committee and Chair of the new Roading Subcommittee. Both are critical for a fast-growing area facing ongoing transport, safety, and infrastructure pressures. Cr Keir’s appointment signals confidence in his ability to champion practical, on-the-ground improvements that matter most to residents, from road safety and maintenance to community facilities and future growth planning.
Meanwhile, Cr Crystal Beavis continues her strong governance track record as Chair of the Policy & Regulatory Committee. Her role will keep her at the centre of how new policies are shaped, ensuring that regulatory processes reflect community expectations around fairness, sustainability, and transparency.
A major innovation this term is the creation of the Community Voice & Choice Committee, chaired by Cr Lisa Thomson. This group’s mission is to make community empowerment an everyday practice, building partnerships with local boards, marae committees, and community groups to ensure decisions aren’t just made for communities, but with them. The committee also carries oversight of Civil Defence and emergency management, reinforcing the idea that resilient communities start with connected ones.
Over the next six months, Council plans to roll out new local delegation processes for things like road naming, community leases, and discretionary funding, three seemingly small but symbolically powerful areas that show a shift toward genuine local choice.
Both Tamahere Councillors have welcomed the new approach, noting that a structure which strengthens local participation is long overdue. “It’s about communities helping shape the direction of their own place,” Cr Keir said informally following the meeting — a sentiment that fits well with the Council’s new “Voice & Choice” mantra.
