Claire McKay

Background

About Claire McKay

My farming background and career as a veterinarian has provided a strong base for developing not only a successful business, but the skills required for good management and governance. In stepping back from full time involvement in our business, I have pursued leadership and governance training which has seen me pivot to working in the water and environmental management space. My “Why” is a desire to see us all valuing and appreciating our water and environment for the natural resources they provide, and improving environmental outcomes while balancing social, cultural and economic values. We must acknowledge that every one of us has an environmental footprint and be prepared to make changes in the way we manage our impacts if communities are to flourish and be vibrant for now and the future. My early involvement in the Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS) 2009 which sets out a new, more collaborative way of managing Canterbury’s precious water resource, ultimately led me to stand for Council in 2016. As an inaugural community appointee to the Waimakariri Zone committee (a key plank of the CWMS) in 2010, I was privileged to be involved in the broad and sometimes difficult community discussions to inform the outcomes desired for the district in plan change 7 of the Canterbury Land and Water Regional plan. As a Councillor on the Canterbury Regional Council, I Co-Chair the Natural Environment Committee and am a member of the Regulation Hearing and Audit Finance Risk Committees, in addition to Council committees of the whole. Core Competencies: • Effective governance skills with good financial understanding. • Ability to think critically and strategically • An inquiring mind backed up by thorough investigation, analysis and reasoned decision-making • Able to combine existing organisational knowledge with necessary change to enable strategic follow through within prudent financial constraints • Agribusiness skills founded on active role in family dairy enterprise, and extensive clinical practice as a veterinarian. • Collaborative and effective oral and written communication • Empathetic, trusted, focussed listening and advocacy approach.