Occasions Marked by Hauraki District

Two milestones were recognised by Hauraki District Councillors at their meeting in Paeroa today – they bid farewell to long serving chief executive, Langley Cavers, while also acknowledging 20-years’ service by the Deputy Mayor, Cr Paul Milner.

Staff had previously said their farewells with Langley ending 29-years with council this Friday, Councillors formally recognised his contribution today.

Langley reminded those present that he had worked with 10 councils during the 23-years as their chief executive, he also had a message for the Minister for Local Government, reminding him that local bodies were dispensed with in 1989 – they were now local government.

For Paul, quite an emotional acknowledgment shared by his wife Hannah and daughter Chloe. He was elected to council when aged 22 and 20 years, later sits as Deputy Mayor.

He paid tribute to the support from family members along with former mayors and councillors who encouraged him to stand for council at a young age.

“Thinking back to then there were no laptops, no Facebook, it was a time when people picked up the phone or came to see you.” He said even if they were shaking a fist.

Two significant changes for him being the introduction of social media along with the diversity which he said now sat at the council table.

As is traditional for anyone at the council who achieves the 20-year milestone, a watch was presented to mark the occasion.