DOUG LEEDER
A trusted hand over a 12-year tenure
As Doug Leeder steps down from his role as Chair of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, after over a decade in the role, his legacy will be one of measured steady governance, financial prudence, and unwavering commitment to regional prosperity.
Doug has been at the helm through some of New Zealand’s most challenging times. His term commenced just after the Rena maritime disaster, and during his tenure he led the Council through the 2017 Edgecumbe floods, the Whakaari White Island tragedy, the global COVID-19 pandemic, Cyclone Gabrielle and a cost-of-living crisis. Throughout this time the region has also seen rapid growth making the Bay of Plenty an even more desirable place to live, work and play.
A Steward of Growth and Governance
Doug’s approach to leadership came down to one key consideration — to leave the Council in a better state than he found it.
He has held himself to a high standard, consistently asking whether his leadership has strengthened the Council across a range of measures — from governance and financial stewardship to community trust and regional resilience.
“We’re a regulator as well as a deliverer of services,” Doug reflected. “I think we’ve made real progress across a range of activities.”
A defining achievement during his time as Chair has been the evolution of Quayside Holdings Limited. In 2013, Quayside’s non-port investment portfolio net of passive land holdings was $87 million. Today, that figure is over $600 million — a testament to strategic reinvestment and long-term thinking. Doug championed a pivotal policy whereby Council enabled Quayside to retain 20% of its surplus, rather than distribute it as dividends. This shift has empowered Quayside to grow its investment portfolio, strengthening long term prosperity for Bay of Plenty residents.
Quayside: A Vehicle for Generational Impact
Doug’s vision extended beyond immediate returns. Under his guidance, Council endorsed the concept of Quayside being an intergenerational endowment fund, ensuring benefits not just for today’s ratepayers but for future generations.
“Quayside are essentially the stewards of the fund,” Doug noted. “Quayside makes the money, and the Council decides how it’s spent.”
This financial prudence has tangible impacts for the people of the Bay of Plenty. Thanks to Quayside’s dividends, Council can deliver important quality services and offset each and every rate bill annually. For FY25, the average rates bill was reduced by $397 per household. It’s a model that other regions are looking to replicate.
Rangiuru Business Park: A Vision Realised
Among Doug’s proudest achievements is the Rangiuru Business Park — a project that exemplifies the Council’s commitment to regional economic development. Though the initiative predates his tenure, Doug played a role in aligning Council and Quayside strategies, securing funding through the Local Government Funding Agency, and leveraging support from the Regional Infrastructure Fund.
Strategically located with access to key freight routes, Rangiuru Business Park is poised to become a major employment hub and a catalyst for industrial growth in the Bay of Plenty. “It’s a good place to live, work and play,” Doug said, echoing the ethos that has guided his leadership.
A Call for Strategic Continuity
As he passes the baton, Doug offers sage advice to incoming leaders: understand the strategy, set clear expectations, and resist the urge to micromanage. “Let Quayside get on with doing the job that Council has set out for them,” he urged. Doug’s vision for Quayside is crystallised on long-term impact — an investment vehicle that not only returns dividends but also facilitates regional prosperity and environmental stewardship. His legacy is a region better equipped to face the future, with a governance model grounded in integrity, collaboration, and strategic clarity.
