Tasman chief awarded new contract
Tasman District Council chief executive Lindsay McKenzie has had his contract renewed for a further two years.
McKenzie joined TDC in May 2012 from Gisborne District Council on a five-year contract. The renewal takes him through until May 2019. The move follows a formal performance review.
Mayor Richard Kempthorne said the decision to offer the twoyear contract was unanimous with a ‘‘strong endorsement’’ from all councillors.
‘‘I’m pleased to say that the council has offered him a further term of employment of two years and that he has Kempthorne said.
‘‘We had until early November to do the review but with the election coming up and several councillors standing down, it was important that the current council took the decision.’’
The mayor added that he was ‘‘really keen’’ for McKenzie to stay on and take the council through the upcoming consultation phase for the proposed Waimea dam.
‘‘It’s [the dam proposal] quite complicated,’’ Kempthorne said.
Over the past five years, the council had achieved strategic milestones ’’but we still have more to go’’.
‘‘As well as performing beyond the expectations set by the elected accepted,’’ members, the continuity provided by Lindsay’s presence and continued leadership will give the council a greater chance of achieving the goals we set in 2012,’’ the mayor said.
‘‘When Lindsay started in 2012, feedback during the amalgamation debate gave us some very clear messages about where ratepayers thought the council should make some changes and I am pleased to say we are making great progress towards achieving those.’’
A ‘‘great deal’’ of this success was directly attributable to McKenzie’s leadership, Kempthorne said.
Chief executives in local government are employed on a fixedterm basis, usually for five years. A further term of employment of up to two years is possible, subject to a formal performance review.
Kempthorne said McKenzie faced a performance and pay review each year and that would continue.
McKenzie’s new contract is due to take effect from May 2017. The council will have to advertise the role externally in late 2018 to meet its legislative requirements.