McGrath said there were some strong candidates around the council table for the role – five told Hawke’s Bay Today they were uninterested in the position – but he chose Roger Brownlie because of his governance experience.
“He brings freshness to the council table, has a strong presence in the room and a lot of experience around governance,” McGrath said.
“What Napier needs, and regionally what Hawke’s Bay needs, is proven business experience, local connections and commitment to a strong future for this community, and commercial board experience.”
He said Brownlie, the highest-polling Ahuriri ward councillor, was in his first term, but he was trusted and respected, and he brought decades of commercial experience.
Brownlie said in a statement he was looking forward to working together as a unified council focused on “getting the work done”.
“I am no-frills when it comes to the job of council. I am focused on upgrading infrastructure and prioritising ongoing maintenance.
“Our region must be future-proofed, resilient and stable so it can grow and contribute to New Zealand’s economy and wellbeing,” Brownlie said.
In his first phone interview with Hawke’s Bay Today since he was inducted as mayor, McGrath said he had no problem with his Deputy Mayor challenging his decisions.
“That’s democracy. But when things aren’t right, and there is no trust, you have to take steps.”
Sally Crown and Richard McGrath in happier times. Photo / NCC
He said Crown’s claims of poor leadership had not been brought up to him before.
“When I think something isn’t right. I’m prepared to take action.
“The whole thing has been a distraction we didn’t need, with all the government changes coming, whether it be rates caps, simplifying local government, RMA changes, it’s just been a real distraction.
“You can either let it continue or take steps to stop it continuing, which is what I believe I’ve done.”
He said Crown had brought some strong skills to the table.
“That hasn’t changed and none of her other roles and responsibilities will change.
“I can’t control how Sally responds and reacts into the future.
“But as long as her decisions are in the best interests of Napier and the community, we can move on.”
He said he loved being mayor, but didn’t want to be seen as arrogant.
“The role is everything I thought it would be.
“I wouldn’t call it an easy job, but I have the skills for it. I have checked my blood pressure a few times, but it’s been all good.”
He said he had a lot of support around him and people he called on for advice.
“I certainly don’t wake up one morning thinking ‘I’m going to do this’ or anything. I like to get a 360-degree review.”
Asked if he thought things took a turn for the worse at the council table in December when he proposed not to include mana whenua voices and voting rights in the council’s standing committees, McGrath said what happened that day was democracy in action.
“I certainly hold no ill will to anyone on that.
“I’m not a mayor sitting here saying everyone’s got to be loyal toward me.
“Everyone’s got to make their own decision. In fact, I was impressed by how capable some of the new councillors were.”
McGrath’s executive assistant resigned after that vote and claimed in her resignation letter it was because of McGrath’s “disregard for Treaty principles”.
He said his family had handled the recent publicity well.
“They are used to it. My kids were young when I first started as a councillor 11 years ago. We had a landline, and they liked to answer it.
“People would start yelling and swearing, probably not realising it was a kid on the other end.
“They have grown up with social media, so they have had good training over the years on how to deal with it.”
He said he’d voted against significant council decisions such as the Long-Term Plan in 2025 because of the decision in it to spend $110 million on the council and library building precinct.
“I think our decision-making just wasn’t right when it came to the library. We had a Government saying, ‘Do your infrastructure; don’t build ‘Green Star 5 buildings, build buildings’.
“When you’re in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, bouncing off a cyclone, it wasn’t the time, in my view. Now the Government’s making radical changes to get back to infrastructure, whether that be water, regional councils or rates caps.”
There has been criticism in parts of the community of McGrath’s availability, with Ngāti Kahungunu chairman Bayden Barber noting he could not reach him on the day of Crown’s sacking.
McGrath said if anyone in the Napier community wanted to talk to him, it was as simple as booking a time with his new executive assistant.
“If you’ve got some information or knowledge you want to share about Napier, come and talk to me. ”
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.