Kawerau District Council re-appointed Russell George as its chief executive officer at an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday, September 12.
The Local Government Act requires councils to advertise the CEO position every five years, with a possible two-year extension. LGNZ Equip was engaged to provide external, executive recruitment services and the CEO position was advertised in July.
Mayor Malcolm Campbell says there was a large volume of high-calibre responses to the advertisements but Russell proved to be the top candidate. “Council recognised his strong financial stewardship, institutional local government knowledge and experience, as well as his long-term service, loyalty, and leadership, and his commitment to maintaining stability within Council while pursuing future growth opportunities for the community of Kawerau.”
In agreement with the council, Russell has been re-appointed for a four-year term instead of five years, to avoid clashing with a local body election and a CEO review in the same year. The four-year term also gives council staff assurance of the operational leadership of the organisation throughout the local body election period, a time where the views, preferences and opinions of the community decide the make-up of the community representation and governance responsibility for Kawerau.
“Russell will continue to keep the council tracking in the positive direction it’s been taking under his tenure,” Malcolm says. “We've been stable and successful financially, and are well-positioned to meet the current and new challenges of local government for Kawerau. With the Long Term Plan, which focuses on key services i.e. three waters (water supply, stormwater and wastewater), industry growth and jobs coming online, we need experience and energy to lead us. We’re confident we have the right man to do this."
Russell says the council has been working very hard on opportunities to grow employment in the district while continuing to deliver high-quality services. “I look forward to continuing that work. There are exciting times ahead for Kawerau and I am honoured I have been selected to be part of that.”
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For more media information contact Justine McLeary, communications advisor, phone 027 432 2472.