Deon Swiggs has been elected chair of Environment Canterbury unopposed.

Councillor Swiggs, was confirmed in the role during a meeting of the regional council this morning.

He was nominated by mid Canterbury Councillors, John Sunckell and Ian Mackenzie.

Ngāi Tahu appointed councillor Iaean Cranwell, who had earlier expressed interest in the chair position, did not contest the final vote.

However, Cranwell was elected Deputy Chair.

Swiggs previously served as a Christchurch City councillor from 2016 to 2019 and returned to local government at the 2022 elections as an Environment Canterbury councillor.

He has a background in business, urban development, and community engagement and has been involved in several local initiatives across the region.

The appointment comes as the regional council prepares to address a range of environmental and infrastructure challenges across Canterbury.

The deputy chair position is expected to be confirmed later today.

Former Environment Canterbury councillor Tutehounuku (Nuk) Korako publicly endorsed Deon Swiggs for the role of Canterbury Regional Council Chair, saying the position must be held by someone directly elected by voters.

In an unsolicited email sent to Chris Lynch Media, on Tuesday, Korako said his experience as a former Ngāi Tahu councillor gave him a strong belief in the importance of both partnership and democracy at the council table.

“I staunchly support the important role of the two Ngai Tahu appointed representatives at the Council Table. Our Te Tiriti based partnership is essential for strong and legitimate regional governance,” he wrote.

“But just as partnership must be respected, so too must democracy.”

He said appointed councillors bring valuable knowledge, but “do not hold that democratic authority in the two most important governance leadership positions of council.”

“I strongly support Deon Swiggs as the next Canterbury Regional Council Chair. He has the capability, energy and voter mandate to lead, while also understanding, respecting and strengthening the partnership with Ngai Tahu,” Korako said.