Your Councillors

Regional Councillors are your community voice. Members of the current Council were elected in October 2007, will remain in office for three years and represent the three districts of the region - Far North, Kaipara and Whangarei.

Mark Farnsworth, Chairman

Represents Kaipara District

Phone: 09 431 5438
Email: markf@nrc.govt.nz

Mark Farnsworth has represented the Kaipara since 1992 and was elected Council Chairman in October 2001. Mr Farnsworth has a Master's Degree in Geography and a forestry and farming background. He is a past National President of the New Zealand School Trustees Association and operates a small management partnership. He is also a Justice of the Peace.

Ian Walker, Deputy Chairman

Represents Far North District

Phone: 09 408 0072
Email: ian@nzfarmers.com

Ian Walker is a farmer, horticulturist and businessman. He is currently President of Farmers of New Zealand and a Director of Northland Port Corporation NZ Limited. This is his second term as a Regional Councillor and he was appointed Deputy Chairman in June 2008.

John Bain

Represents Whangarei District

Phone: 09 437 6096
Email: jbain@internet.co.nz

John Bain is best-known to most as Chairman of the high-profile air ambulance provider the Northland Emergency Services Trust (NEST). A former member of the Northland District Health Board, Cr Bain has had a 35-year involvement with the Northland Ambulance Service, including many years as its Chairman. Cr Bain has been self-employed since his early 20s and is currently in the importing business.

Craig Brown

Represents Whangarei District

Phone: 09 432 7575
Email: cae.brown@xtra.co.nz

Craig Brown is the former Mayor of the Whangarei District Council and is serving his second term on the Regional Council. He is a former policeman, and has been involved in farming and real estate. He has been heavily involved on boards of trustees since their instigation, for which he received an award for services to education from the New Zealand School Trustees Association. Cr Brown was on the Whangarei District Council for 12 years, six of them as Mayor.

Joe Carr

Represents Far North District

Phone: 09 401 9197
Email: carr.clan@farmside.co.nz

Okaihau-based Joe Carr has local business, farm and forest interests and is also a Justice of the Peace. He is a trustee of the Far North Life Education Trust and is a former Far North District Councillor. Cr Carr has served on a number of Regional Council Committees over the past nine years including Civil Defence and Emergency Management, Regional Land Transport and Landcare. He has previously been a Hearing Commissioner and Appeal Negotiator for the Far North District Council.

Lorraine Hill

Represents Far North District

Phone: 09 403 7504
Email: lorrainehill8@xtra.co.nz

Lorraine Hill, QSM, has been active in local government in the Far North for more than 20 years and is now serving her fourth term on the Regional Council. She has also been involved in tourism organisations in Northland for more than 25 years. She is a member of several organisations involved in Māori development in Northland.

Peter Jensen

Represents Whangarei District

Phone: 09 437 6386
Email: peterje@clear.net.nz

Peter Jensen has represented the Whangarei constituency since 1992. He is a retired businessman who was involved in the clothing industry for most of his working life. A former member of the Whangarei City Council, he has served on a number of commercial and community organisations. Mr Jensen is also a member of the Northland District Health Board.

Bill Rossiter

Represents Whangarei District

Phone: 09 437 2807
Email: billr@igrin.co.nz

Bill Rossiter is serving his fourth term on the Regional Council. He previously served as a Whangarei District Councillor. He is a Northpower trustee and was previously the Road Safety Co-ordinator for RoadSafe Northland. He is active in community organisations, including Rotary. Mr Rossiter is also Chairman of the Maunu Children’s Health Camp.

Your Council