Executive team members

Biography

I joined Auckland Council as its third Chief Executive on 1 September 2020.

I spent much of my early working life in Australia in the financial services, telecommunications and technology sectors – my time at these large service-based organisations has provided me with a strong focus on customer service delivery.

On moving to New Zealand in 2011, I worked for Westpac before joining ACC as its Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer.

I love the diversity of what the council does, and I recognise the criticality of those services to the growth and success of Auckland and all Aucklanders.

Biography

My most recent role was Deputy Chief Executive for Auckland Council.

Throughout my career, I have held a variety of senior leadership positions in the public service sector, including Head of Work and Income New Zealand prior to council, one of the largest government agencies in New Zealand.

I have held leadership roles in the Department of Labour and the Department of Education and Employment in London. I was the Chief Operating Officer for Auckland Council following the amalgamation.

I hold a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Victoria University, and completed the Advanced Management Programme for senior executives at INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France.

Biography

As Director of Group Services, I am accountable for:

• Technology
• People & Culture
• Brand, Marketing & Comms
• Corporate Property & Support Services
• Health, Safety & Wellbeing
• Corporate Strategy and Business Improvement
• Maori Outcomes.

I have spent most of my working life in the Financial Services sector. My experience spans Technology (Strategy, Delivery, Operations, Financial, Performance, Risk, Governance, Cyber-Security, Outsourced Services), Corporate functions (Enterprise Program Management, Board Engagement, Business Transformation, Customer Journeys, Strategic Change), and Business functions (running large scale distribution and operations businesses across Branch, Private Banking, Wealth Management, Business and Agri Business Banking).

Although born and raised in Hawkes Bay, I have lived in Auckland since 1998 and love the diversity of our city and the essential role that Auckland Council plays in helping shape its future for all to benefit from.

Biography

My role as Group CFO is to lead the division responsible for:

Biography

I have the privilege of leading the wonderful team who deliver the strategies, planning and internal and external communications for Auckland.

Our team is responsible for:

• planning for place, which includes the unitary plan, area plans, structure plans and spatial priority areas
• strategies such as the Auckland Plan, Auckland City Centre Masterplan, sustainability
• expertise, planning, and monitoring for all aspects of our environment and infrastructure
• creation of social and community policy
• advocating for great urban form outcomes as Auckland developments happen
• providing economic expertise to challenge our thinking
• thinking through co-design capability and social entrepreneurship
• market research, media and communications.

Biography

As a proud Aucklander and Director of Customer and Community Services, I'm responsible for Auckland’s:

• libraries
• parks
• sports grounds
• beaches
• swimming pools
• recreation and fitness centres
• cemeteries, community centres
• houses and halls
• arts centres and public art
• housing for older people
• community development
• events.

Biography

As director of Infrastructure and Environmental Services, I am responsible for:

• healthy waters
• environmental services
• the Development Programme Office
• waste solutions
• engineering and technical services.

Biography

I am very proud that the Regulatory Services Directorate has a direct positive impact on all aspects of Aucklanders' lives, through keeping people healthy and well, our homes and buildings safe and compliant, and ensuring that our environment is protected.

The five business units that make up Regulatory Services manage and process applications for resource and building consents. They also carry out a compliance and monitoring function, educate on and issue food and alcohol licenses, deliver animal management programs; including dog registration, oversee environmental health and regulate the Food Act.

I want us to be recognised as a leader in delivering regulatory excellence based on outstanding customer service across all our programmes.

I've had a varied career working in the private, not-for-profit and local government sectors. I was previously Chief Executive of South Waikato District Council, CEO of Paralympics New Zealand and CEO of the National Maritime Museum for a short time. I was privileged to coach the NZU21 Men’s team to the 2001 Hockey Junior World Cup.

I love the diversity of Auckland’s communities and environment and I'm privileged to be able to contribute to its ongoing growth and development as a world-class city.

Biography

Tēnā koutou.

My career prior to joining Auckland Council includes 20 years in senior executive roles within the public sector and five years as group chief executive of my tribal authority.

My iwi affiliations are Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Tamaterā and Ngāpuhi.

At Auckland Council, I am the Director of Ngā Mātārae. Our directorate works across the Auckland Council Group to strengthen relationships with Tāmaki Makaurau mana whenua and Māori communities; and achieve improved long-term outcomes as described in our Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau Framework.

Biography

I have held a number of senior management roles; previously chief of staff in the mayor's office (Auckland Council); general manager of HR and communications for Manukau City Council and then Chief Advisor to that organisation which included leading both the Chief Executive and Mayoral offices.

I’m thoroughly enjoying and being challenged in my role as director.

Good governance is critical to the organisation’s success and is a personal passion of mine, so working with the mayor, councillors, our local boards and CCOs, and driving outcomes with and for iwi is enormously satisfying.