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In a statement released on Tuesday afternoon, the council’s chief executive, Nic Peet, said he would not make public comment on the cuts, other than to say the council had “begun consulting on a proposed organisational change”.
The council covers an area encompassing Hastings District Council, Napier City Council, Wairoa District Council and Central Hawke’s Bay District Council.
The process was expected to last several weeks and the change was “aimed at keeping the council affordable for ratepayers while continuing to meet the needs of the region,” he said.
“We have taken steps to reduce costs and improve efficiency, but further change is now necessary to ensure we remain affordable for our ratepayers and able to meet the expectations ahead,” Peet said.
“Our priority is to work directly with affected staff and to conduct a fair and respectful process. Organisational change can be difficult, and the council is committed to supporting staff through the process,” he said.
Peet said the proposal “reflects rising costs, changes to resource management responsibilities, and evolving expectations about how councils work with communities and landowners”.
Organisational change was “not being undertaken lightly” and “out of respect for the confidentiality of this employment process, the council will not be making further public comment while we work through the proposal”, he said.