Ana So’otaga is one of five people appointed to a new independent panel who will work with communities in the Lower Hutt in Wellington to help with a representation review.
The representation review looks at the structures in place, such as the boundary lines and names of wards, and the number of councillors.
Ana has a background leading local and national public policy, strategy, systems change, and equity-centred programme design and delivery. Of Tokelau heritage and along with her family and four children has been born and raised in the Hutt Valley.
Ana is well-connected to the Hutt Valley health, sports and Pacific community. She has held leadership roles at the Ministry for Pacific Peoples and Te Awa Kairangi Primary Health Organisation and is now the Strategy and Performance lead with Sport New Zealand.
Lower Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry says he’s confident the independent panel has the experience and expertise to do a thorough job in recommending representation arrangements to council.
“It’s important that our communities of interest are represented at Council and a big part of that is making sure that our structures and processes support our city’s makeup.
“Our panel members will bring experience, expertise and most importantly independence to the representation review process. I look forward to seeing their recommendations.”
The new panel members are:
Mr Paul Swain (Chair)
Mrs Ana So’otaga
Sir (Ta) John Clarke
Ms Meenakshi Sankar
Mr Matt Richardson
