Duncan Butcher is synonymous with local government in Otago. After 30 years representing the region and his hometown of Cromwell he is retiring, leaving behind the need to travel thousands of kilometres a year, attend meetings and answer constant phone calls. Rebecca Fox finds out how he came to be known as the ''father'' of water regulations in Otago.
There are not many draughty country halls in Otago Duncan Butcher has not spent a cold night in, answering tough questions from sometimes irate landowners.
Having been elected to councils 10 times since 1982, he has been at the forefront of Otago's development and is credited with being the ''father'' of water plan 6A, the Otago Regional Council's innovative approach to water quality.
Cr Butcher, then a Ministry of Works electrical overseer, was first elected in 1982 to the Cromwell Borough Council, walking in the footsteps of his father, a Waimate borough councillor.
It was a debate over the siting of a highway near Cromwell's school soon after he and his family moved to the town that ignited his interest.
''We started a protest. We all got together with placards and blocked the highway off, diverting traffic.''
He gave his first radio interview and soon after decided to stand for the council and was successful.
Next came a position as deputy mayor and turbulent times, as the decision to build the Clyde dam and flood the township was made.
In 1986 he was elected mayor, which he believed was the final acceptance by the community of the many Ministry of Works employees who had came to the town.
During these years there were many delegations to and from government as the council fought for a good deal for the town and to get facilities built, he said.
When local government was reorganised in the late 1980s, he stood for the new Central Otago District Council, Cromwell Community Board and Otago Regional Council, and won seats on them all.
But in 1993 legislation changed and he had to make the decision between the two councils, deciding on the regional council.
The prospect of creating a new council out of a catchment board and developing policies never done before was too great a drawcard.
''There were a lot of exciting things. Monthly you were seeing things implemented. You could really do things.''
He has chaired many regional council committees over the years, was chairman for three years and deputy chairman. He also held national roles chairing the Varroa Agency and sitting on the regional sector group.
Chairman Stephen Woodhead said Cr Butcher had a significant leadership role on the council throughout the years and was well respected for his work.
His debating skills were second to none and councillors always knew they had a ''hard row to hoe'' if Cr Butcher was on the other side of the debate, he said.
''I don't believe you've passed approval as a new councillor until you've lost a vote and had a political flick in the ear from Cr Butcher. He's very good.''
Fellow councillor Louise Croot, who has served alongside Cr Butcher since the council's inception, agreed.
''He is a good listener and has a second sense for `stories that do not add up.' That's a polite way of saying it.
''You could disagree, as we often did in the early days of council, as we found our feet, and with Duncan, once the decision is made, you get on to the next matter.''
Mr Woodhead said Cr Butcher's commitment and ability to work through so many details and find a solution was impressive.
As chairman of the finance and corporate committee, he chaired many controversial meetings, some with rare full public galleries, such as over the Forsyth Barr Stadium funding and waterfront office-block proposal.
''It was a big disappointment, not building on the foreshore. I thought it was a step in the right direction and now we're spending money here, when we could have been there.''
There were other tough times, especially any flood event, and the major Alexandra flood in 1999 stood out.
Cr Butcher said visiting flooded Alexandra homes was one of the toughest things he had done.
''Everyone was looking at you as if it was your fault, not an act of nature.''
With the CODC, he was part of the push to get Alexandra its flood wall.
''We got the money out of the Government ... it's never been tested yet.''
His awareness of flood risk meant every year he got a bit nervous around October and November, knowing it was the most likely time the lakes could flood.
Central Otago Mayor Tony Lepper was 32 when he met Cr Duncan Butcher, whom he considered the ''experienced local body politician'' back then.
''He has always been approachable, likeable, hardworking and fun. He has a very special laugh and smile which often comes to the surface when we recall battle stories and people we have meet in our 24 years as local body politicians.''
Cr Butcher said looking back, the changes in local government had been dramatic and helping constituents with particular problems had become more difficult.
''There are plans and rules and you can't change the rules. Before, in the 1980s, when rules were being formalised and policies adopted, there was still the ability to get things done.''
Relationships had changed with staff over the years. Councillors now had less of a hands-on approach, he said. Staff now formulated policy for councillors to ultimately sign off.
''It's different. People still think councillors have the ultimate control but that reality is hard to achieve.''
However, he was very proud of what he had been able to achieve with the council's first Regional Policy Statement, air quality plan, pest management strategies and more recently the 1C and 6A water plan changes.
''It's a bloody good plan. Ours has always been one step ahead than the rest of New Zealand. We've always thought a bit different.''
He was part of the panel which appointed sometimes controversial chief executive Graeme Martin.
''We had a CEO who challenged the boundaries and thinking and at times we stood out by ourselves, but in most cases we were 100% right or near enough.''
Mr Martin said Cr Butcher had a great understanding of the law and was able to interpret it fairly and equitably.
''In plan preparations and consents, Duncan made a huge contribution.''
When the regional council was formed none of the legislation was available, yet his skills meant he was able to get the RMA established in the council.
He was also keenly interested in council finances and knew the line between governance and management.
''His knowledge and understanding of Otago is sterling, massive.''
One of those times was the council's approach to the rabbit problem and its decision to hand back responsibility and funding for rabbit control to landowners.
''It was forward thinking at the time.''
Having Mr Martin retire before him was difficult, he said.
''I missed Graham like bloody hell, but Peter [Bodeker] came on board and I'm rapt there is a CE [chief executive] to take on the mantle.''
While he would miss the people, he would not miss the travelling and the 5.30am starts to get to Dunedin over often treacherous roads.
''I've gone through four cars, all of which have had 200,000km on them. I've had two accidents, not serious, although one car was written off after I slid on ice.''
He has not quite lost his attraction to travelling though, and has plans to hit the road with wife Maureen and a caravan and travel the country to spend time with his children and grandchildren in the North Island.
His experience would also not be totally lost to Otago, as he planned to keep up his consent panel qualifications and be available if needed.
''Otago owes him a huge debt of thanks,'' Mr Woodhead said.
