Robert Cookson

Born in Te Aroha and based in Springdale since, Robert Cookson is the proud father of two daughters, a fourth-generation dairy farmer, and a Waikato Regional Councillor.

Robert’s family has farmed in Springdale for over a century, and is currently run by Robert and his siblings as a family farming business. Robert has farmed his entire life, alongside agricultural contracting. This experience on the land gives Robert a practical understanding of the issues facing farmers, rural communities, and the wider Waikato region.

For many years, Robbie has also been involved in the governance of flood protection and drainage, and helping to manage and protect the infrastructure that supports communities and productive land.

As a Waikato Regional Councillor, he currently chairs three committees, serves as deputy chair of three others, and sits on a total of 20 committees. These roles have given Robert extensive governance experience across regional issues, including environmental management, infrastructure, biosecurity, transport, and economic development.

A born-and-bred local of the Waikato region, Robert is committed to informed, responsible decision-making, and representing the interests of the Waikato community with practical, commonsense leadership.