Christchurch North-East councillor Jenny Hughey, who is part of People's Choice a left-leaning group, will lead the regional council for the next three years.
Peter Scott managed to secure the role of deputy chairman for a second term after the vote went to a tiebreaker between himself and Claire McKay and his name had to be drawn out of a reuseable coffee cup.
Councillors Tane Apanui, Grant Edge, Vicky Southworth, Elizabeth McKenzie, Lan Pham, Craig Pauling all voted for Cr Scott.
Councillors Megan Hands, Jenny Hughey, Phil Clearwater, Ian Mackenzie, Nicole Marshall and John Sunckell all voted for Cr Mckay.
Both Cr Scott and McKay voted for themselves which gave them seven votes each.
ECan's new chairwoman Jenny Hughey has a master's degree in law and has spent 11 years in governance and community support and leadership roles at the city council, and has been an Environmental Inquiry Commissioner.
Cr Scott is a mixed crop farmer. As well as deputy chair, Cr Scott also had portfolio responsibilities for air quality, regional transport and freshwater during the last triennium.
