Huge interest in CE's position

Whakatane District Councillors are delighted at the number and calibre of applications received for the position of Chief Executive.

Incumbent Chief Executive’s contract term ends on July 31. The Local Government Act 2002, allows local authority chief executives’ contracts to be extended by no more than one two-year roll-over period before the position has to be advertised.

Mayor Tony Bonne says the position was advertised nationally last month, with more than 30 applications received. “Council has engaged Sheffield Search, one of the top executive recruitment companies in New Zealand, to help us with the appointment and they are now working through the applications to prepare a shortlist for further consideration.”

He says Councillors are being kept fully informed and that all elected members will be involved in the final selection process. “We met with Sheffield Search on Friday afternoon and Councillors are delighted at the level of response received. The calibre of the applicants is very high, but for privacy reasons, details of those involved must remain confidential.”

Search Principal Jenny Myers, who manages Sheffield’s Wellington operations, says applications were received from throughout New Zealand, with the quality of the applicants making short-listing a “difficult task”.

Sheffield Search is one of the country’s longest-established executive recruitment companies - now in its 50th year of operation – and has assisted with executive appointments for Councils around New Zealand, including the Auckland ‘Super City’.

The selection process is expected to be completed next month. For more information, contact the Mayor Tony Bonne on 07 306 0515.