New boss for regional council
The Taranaki Regional appointed Steve Ruru as executive.
Ruru, of Nga¯ti Raukawa and Nga¯ti Ranginui, has been chief executive of Southland District Council since 2014, and has also been chief executive of the Kaipara District Council and the Thames-Coromandel District Council. He also held senior leadership roles in the health sector, and was finance manager at Waikato Regional Council in the early 1990s.
Ruru said the new role was a great opportunity for a new challenge and the chance to lead a regional council during an exciting period in local government, particularly with the ongoing focus on the broader water agenda.
‘‘I am very much looking forward to the new role and the many opportunities that it presents to make a contribution to the
Council has its new chief
Taranaki region,’’ he said in a statement.
‘‘Initially I will be looking to develop new relationships with staff, elected members and the wider community to ensure that I develop a good understanding of their aspirations and the opportunities which they see existing for making a difference.’’
The decision to resign from Southland was difficult, he said.
‘‘I have enjoyed my time down here immensely and it’s been a fantastic opportunity,’’ Ruru said. ‘‘However, this is the right decision for me and my family at this time.’’
He replaces long-serving chief executive Basil Chamberlain, who stepped down on Tuesday after 40 years of local body governance, including 31 years as TRC chief executive.
TRC chair David MacLeod said Ruru clearly appreciated the need for both environmental and economic wellbeing.
Ruru will take up his new role in October, TRC said. Director of corporate services, Mike Nield, will remain acting CE until then.