Adviser dismissed over exchange with mayor

A West Coast Regional Council contractor has been dismissed from her role for telling Westland District Mayor Helen Lash to "behave like an adult" at a meeting in Franz Josef on Wednesday night.

The incident followed a discussion about when work must start on the second stage of stopbank work on the Waiho/Waiau River, to meet government funding conditions.

Ratepayers and councillors who oversee the project as the Franz Josef joint committee wanted clarification on the start and end dates for the multimillion-dollar project.

Mrs Lash, who chairs the committee, said a letter from Kanoa, the government’s Regional Economic and Investment Unit, sent to her by the council’s governance adviser, Freya Love, did not spell out dates.

West Coast Regional Council (WCRC) chief executive Darryl Lew said the council could clarify that with Kanoa.

"But my absolute understanding is that we have to start construction [on the remaining stop banks] before June 30 this year otherwise the money will be withdrawn."

Mrs Lash asked if that could be provided in writing.

"It’s too general Freya [Love], what you sent through today. We need that specific timeframe so we know exactly what the end point is and we can work forward from there."

Ms Love said the mayor could assume the 2024-25 construction season meant the financial year.

"It’s fairly straightforward, madam chair."

Mrs Lash asked again.

"Freya [Love], if you please, we all have different financial years. So we need clarification."

Ms Love said the government had one financial year.

"It is the 2024-25 financial year. It’s not rocket science — that’s what it is."

"Excuse me Freya, that’s unacceptable, thank you," Mrs Lash said.

Ms Love responded "stop talking to us like we’re children, behave like an adult yourself".

Mrs Lash took a brief moment before turning to Mr Lew.

"Ah ... thank you Mr Lew, I would ask you to manage your staff, if you wouldn’t mind."

Local businessman Kim Smith was equally taken aback.

"Are we paying for this lady to actually advise Mr Lew?" he asked.

"Yes," Mrs Lash said.

"No, you’re not," Ms Love said.

Mr Lew confirmed yesterday Ms Love had been dismissed.

"I have expressed my sincere apologies to Mayor Lash today [Thursday] and informed her that the contractor will no longer be working for WCRC following the comments made at last night’s Franz Josef joint committee meeting.

"West Coast Regional Council and Westland District Council have a strong partnership working together for the best outcomes for our community. We value that very highly."

■LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.