Dozens of people want to be the next boss of Christchurch City Council

Tuesday, 6 August 2024

Thirty-seven people have put their hand up to lead the Christchurch City Council as its next chief executive.

Applications for the role closed on July 28, and most have come from within New Zealand.

Just two have come from people currently overseas, though they are returning home to New Zealand.

The lack of international candidates is not surprising, given the council has made no secret of its desire to employ someone with an understanding of New Zealand local government.

A 19-page candidate briefing pack also states the successful candidate should have a “connection and commitment to Christchurch”, along with “exceptional emotional intelligence”.

Interviews will begin later this month and the short-listed interviews are expected to be held in September.

A council spokesperson said the entire council, which includes 16 councillors and mayor Phil Mauger, would interview the short-listed candidates before making a decision on the successful applicant.

Just how many will be on the short list is yet to be determined, because the applications are still being reviewed, the spokesperson said.

The council did not know when the new chief executive would start work, because it would depend on when the successful candidate could take up the job.

Interim chief executive Mary Richardson has been doing the job since November, when Dawn Baxendale left abruptly with 11 months left on her contract.

Baxendale cited personal reasons for her departure, but pressure had been mounting on her for some time as she grappled with low staff morale, poor resident satisfaction and high staff turnover.

Richardson has already ruled out taking on the job permanently.

It is not known who has put their name in the ring.

Former Christchurch city councillor Raf Manji said in December he would consider applying for the role, but did not respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.

Ashburton District Council’s chief Hamish Riach would not comment on the issue last year and also did not respond a question from The Press this week.

Former Canterbury District Health Board chief executive David Meates said in December, he was committed to Rowing New Zealand until after the Paris Olympics.

He said on Monday, he had been very focused on the Olympics and had not had the time to think about other options.

Meates stood for the mayoralty in 2022, losing by 2271 votes to Mauger.

The candidate briefing information states the council is looking for someone with a “track record in providing strategic, visible and inspirational leadership”.

They must have a “calm, composed, diplomatic and collaborative style”, have experience effectively working with mana whenua and have experience working in a high-profile role with media scrutiny.

A council spokesperson said last month the expected salary had not been finalised. Baxendale was on $548,548 in 2023.