20 years Service For Violet, Uttam and Hutia

The council’s ability to retain long-term staff was demonstrated last week with a function for three officers who have each achieved 20 years of service.

Violet Christison, Uttam Chandra and Hutia Gardiner have been involved in different areas of council responsibility, and each has brought expertise to their role.

Violet’s local government background spans 34 years starting in Wairoa before moving south in 1988. Information Technology is her passion and her attention to detail and extensive knowledge of the complexity of council operations has made her invaluable in her field. Solving complex issues is an area Violet thrives on.

Uttam Chandra relocated to Dannevirke following the 1987 coups in Fiji bringing with him extensive experience in public service. The roles of Treasurer, Executive Support and latterly Internal Auditor have been undertaken by Uttam within the Dannevirke and then Tararua district councils. Twenty years of service to local government has also been recognised by a Local Government Service award from the Society of Local Government Managers.

Hutia Gardiner brings a long time background of local knowledge to her current position. She started her employment with the Pahiatua County Council in 1988 as a temporary typist clerk. The role soon becoming permanent and continued with the formation of Tararua District Council in 1989. Hutia’s current position dates from 2005 and her extensive customer service skills make her an asset in her role in Pahiatua as well as in other service centres in the district.